For Kids, Sledding Often As Dangerous As It Is Fun

For some kids, nothing could be more fun. But as some find out, sledding also can can be very dangerous.

The pediatric emergency room at WakeMed has seen some serious sledding injuries this week as a result of the wintry weather.

According to doctors, icy conditions mean kids are going fast and have little control over their sleds.

"We have seen everything from general bumps and bruises, where people are just standing around, to slipping down onto something, down stairs, and fractures associated with that, to more severe and life-threatening injuries, where people are sliding up under cars at high speed," Dr. Mark Steffens said.

Doctors say the best way to prevent these injuries is for children to wear helmets and only sled with parental supervision.