Winter is a wonderful time of year that brings us a whole host of sporting opportunities, but it's
it's also the time of year when children are more likely to suffer winter-related injuries.
Winter is generally more risky for injuries than summer. What activities are most risky for children in winter?
Sledding, bobsleighing
All children love this winter pastime. But it's also an activity that often results in
injuries. Did you know that a good quality bobsleigh can travel at speeds of up to 40 km/h? This can result in a head-on collision
...a head-on collision with a tree or a pole can be fatal. So it's important not only to have a good and safe
equipment (sleds, bobsleighs), but also a protective helmet. The sledding area must be safe - this
away from the road and free from trees or other dangerous protruding objects, to
that a child could bump into. The child must be taught how to behave when sledding to avoid
collision with anyone else.
Skating
When skating, choose a designated rink with good visibility and groomed ice. Your child should
should always wear not only well-fitting skates, but also pads (knee, elbow, wrist) and a helmet,
to protect the head in the event of a fall on the ice. If you choose to skate on natural ice,
remember that the safe thickness of the ice is always at least 10 cm, and in the case of groups
ideally 15 cm.
Skating and playing in the snow
Although these activities may seem innocent, there is also an increased risk of injury. In addition to injuries
from icy snow, which can cause concussions and lacerations to the head and face,
knock out a tooth or injure an eye, there is also the risk of unpleasant and painful
frostbite. Good quality warm clothing, gloves and boots are always key, as well as protective cream for
frost.
Skiing and snowboarding
Skiing and snowboarding is loved by young and old alike, and given the number of active skiers and snowboarders, the
it is also clear that these sports are among the most injury-prone in winter. The most common are
fractures and sprains, head injuries, knee injuries or injuries caused by impact or
collision (trees, various obstacles, other skiers).
How to prevent winter sports injuries?
One of the most risky factors is speed. When sledding, skiing and snowboarding, children
often succumb to the excitement and fail to properly assess their speed, terrain and level of
ability level. The subsequent uncoordinated fall or crash into an obstacle can then have a very
unpleasant consequences.
It is very important to teach your child not to overestimate their strength and to ride on slopes that
that they can technically manage and at a speed at which they can safely avoid any
obstacle. It is also important to teach your child how to behave on the slope and how to avoid collisions
or prevent falls.
The second most common factor in a fall resulting in injury is poor quality, ill-fitting or
malfunctioning equipment. Roman Blažek, owner of the Beany brand, also knows about this.
"The right choice plays a very important role in the production of children's sports equipment.
It's a very important factor in how a child will enjoy skiing or snowboarding and whether the ride will be safe.
If they are too heavy and hard, the child will find it hard to turn and even harder to ride.
The ride will be hard and will tire him or her out sooner. Always remember that the child is not a small adult, and
so parents should choose sports equipment that has been developed and manufactured directly
tailor-made for children."
Falls should not only be prevented, but also their consequences should be mitigated as much as possible. Of course
of every skier and snowboarder should be a protective helmet, which in some
in some states even required by law. A spinal protector should not be missing either, and if necessary
elbow, knee and wrist pads - the areas most exposed to potential
injury.
A final piece of advice?
Play sports with your children regularly. After all, there's nothing worse than a child who has been sitting for months
at home on the computer for a week in the mountains. If they're not used to the strain of sport, they'll tire more quickly, which significantly increases the risk of injury. Therefore, the ideal is to play sports all year round and keep the child
to see exercise and sport as fun and a natural part of life.
