How to gear up kids for injury-free winter fun

Cold weather and snow can mean endless winter fun for children of all ages. But unfortunately, this also means orthopedic injuries are common occurrences at this time of year.

As a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, I frequently treat children with sprains, fractures and broken bones. Here are a few recommendations for protecting your children from injury as they enjoy the winter season:

Take precautions to prevent slips, trips and falls

Outdoor surfaces tend to be much more slippery during the winter months which can lead to slips, trips and falls. Rubber-soled winter shoes or boots are often the best at preventing slips on ice or wet ground. Clear walkways and driveways of ice and snow and remind children to avoid running on these surfaces at this time of year. Encourage taking small, careful steps. Provide children and teens with appropriate winter gear, including warm gloves. Wearing gloves helps keep them from placing their cold hands in their pockets, which can impact balance and increase the likelihood of slipping.

Choose safe sledding spots

Sledding is a popular activity that can quickly become dangerous. Steer clear of hills near roads, parking lots, trees, ponds or other hazards. It can be tough to direct a sled during its descent, which makes sledding very unpredictable. Young children should not head down hills alone. The safest way to ride on a sled is seated face forward. Face down sledding can lead to serious head injury. Always keep arms and legs in and on the sled. Teach your child that if their sled won’t stop, the best thing to do is carefully roll off. Better yet – choose a sled with brakes and steering abilities.

Take it slow with ice skating

When ice skating, children should wear safety gear, including a helmet and wrist, elbow and knee pads, to help prevent serious injury. Falling on the ice is typical for skaters of any age, so make sure children know skating basics, including safely stopping, before heading out on the ice. Always monitor children and skate with them, if possible. Consider skating lessons to help your child become more confident and careful on the ice.

Train for snowboarding and skiing 

Some families enjoy snowboarding and skiing during the winter months. Before either activity, lessons or time with a trained instructor can go a long way in keeping children safe. Proper safety gear is a necessity, which includes a helmet and wrist guards. If at any point your child becomes hurt, stop skiing or snowboarding. Do not allow them to ignore or push past an injury. Instead, bring them inside to be evaluated by a health care professional.

Be mindful of the amount of time your child is spending outside during all winter activities. When your body is tired, you are more likely to become injured. If you have any concerns, check in with your child’s pediatrician.

Dr. David Fralinger is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Advocate Children’s Hospital.

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