One of the best things about these cold winter months is having fun skiing, snowboarding and sledding. The upper Midwest has some of the highest concentration of ski resorts in the United States, but with that comes the potential for injuries, especially among kids.
Dr. Greg Rebella, pediatric emergency physician at UW Health Kids and clinical associate professor of emergency medicine and pediatrics at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, spoke to WIFR 23 TV in Rockford to discuss how to keep kids safe during winter sports.
The most common mechanism leading to injury during winter recreation is impact, such as falling to the ground or colliding with an object such as a tree. This can lead to serious injury like broken bones, head trauma and facial lacerations, even at low speeds.
Losing control of skis, snowboards and sleds can also lead to serious bone and structural injuries to legs.
Regardless of the cause or type of injury, many injuries have the potential to cause serious and sometimes costly short- and long-term impacts to one’s health and daily life.
Dr. Greg Rebella recommends wearing appropriate sports gear, following recommended safety tips established by trained professionals, and making sure your children are on the appropriate slopes for their skill level.
Watch the full interview online at wifr.com 