The U.S. is warning anyone considering sledding outside on Monday.
Much of the East Coast has been hit hard by snowstorms on Monday, February 23. New York City has close to two feet of snow. Other East Coast cities have been hit hard by snowfall, as well.
While the snow is fresh, anyone considering sledding at this point should be warned to be as safe as possible.
During the last snowstorm that hit much of the U.S. in January, five people were killed in horrific sledding deaths. Three teens in Texas were killed when the sleds they were riding collided with trees and fences. The teens were riding on sleds that were being driven by ATVs and vehicles. Two other teens were killed in similar sledding accidents.
In the wake of those five deaths, the U.S. has re-issued a safety warning for all:
- Teach children to have an adult with them when they go sledding.
- Avoid sledding in areas with trees, fences and light poles or on rocky hills.
- Always go down the hill feet first.
- Have only the recommended number of passengers on a sled at one time.
- Do not sled in the street or on a highway.
- Never ride a sled being pulled by a car, ATV, snowmobile or other motorized vehicle.
- Avoid sledding on driveways, hills, or slopes that end in a street, drop off, parking lot, river or pond.
- Because they are hard to steer, the best place to use a tube is in a tubing park – often found at ski resorts.
Our thoughts are with everyone that has been impacted by awful sledding tragedies.
May those victims rest in peace.