Avoid equipment with bent parts, splintered wood or sharp edges. Never ride on a sled pulled by a motorized vehicle. Teach children to sit up on sleds with their feet forward. Sledding down a hill while lying flat increases the chances of head and abdominal injuries. Don't allow sledding when it's dark, foggy or snowing hard.
Collisions are more likely when visibility is poor.
Never allow children to skate alone and teach them to skate in the same direction as the crowd. Check with your child's pediatrician before allowing ice skating, since injuries are most common when children's undeveloped muscles and bones are overworked by the demands of ice skating. Hockey players should wear helmets, face masks and padding on knees, elbows, hips and ankles. Frostbite may be a signal of life-threatening hypothermia, which can occur if a child has been immersed in frigid water outside, or exposed to cold for a long time. If you suspect hypothermia, seek medical attention immediately.