Childhood sledding injuries in 1990-91

Sledding injuries are a common wintertime problem. To better characterize these injuries, three analyses were done: a retrospective chart review of all injured sledders at St. Louis Children's Hospital (SLCH) in the winter of 1990-91, a review of Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) injury data for 1990, and measurements of sledding speeds. Analyses of the SLCH data and the CPSC data yielded similar results. Younger children incur more head injuries, while older children incur more extremity injuries. The SLCH data indicate that most injuries occur close to home when a sledder strikes a fixed object in his path. Velocities of 10 to 20 mph may be easily achieved. Injury prevention includes appropriate selection of sledding site, use of protective clothing, and refraining from sledding at times of highest risk.