Tobogganing Sliding downhill is an exhilarating winter sport. People of all ages can participate, and use all kinds of containers, from large toboggans to plastic disks or even cardboard boxes. But sledding unintentional injuries are surprisingly common despite snow's cushioning effect. Estimates of the number of injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms every year show about 33,000 sledding injuries and 1,500 from tobogganing.
Injuries are often facial lacerations or skull fractures.
Tobogganing injuries are exceptions, however, since they almost always involve the lower half of the body. Children ages 5 to 9 are most susceptible to injury. Parents of young children should not let them sled alone. Older children should be taught to check for hazards. Broken parts, sharp edges, cracks and split wood invite injuries.