The U.S. has issued a warning to all young people following the tragic deaths of seven high school athletes this week.
Seven U.S. high school athletes have been killed in tragic accidents this week. Three teenagers were killed in sledding accidents in Texas, while two were killed in a train accident in Texas and two were killed in car accidents in California and Tennessee.
While car accidents can happen anywhere, sledding accidents can be avoidable. The two sledding accidents that happened occurred when teens were riding on sleds being pulled by motor vehicles. The three teenagers ended up crashing into a tree and a fence, ultimately dying from trauma injuries.
© Katelyn Cordero/Poughkeepsie Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
In the wake of the deadly sledding accidents, the U.S. has issued a "warning" to all young people regarding sledding safety.
Here are the important rules to follow
- 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 the friends and family members of all seven families mourning their children's deaths.
May they rest in peace.