Upcoming winter storm raises alarms at MCH Trauma Centre

As a snowstorm approaches, the Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH) Trauma Centre is reminding families to take extra precautions to ensure children’s safety while enjoying winter activities.

While snow can provide endless fun, without proper precautions, injuries can occur.

“Assessing risk and making informed choices is important,” says Debbie Friedman, MCH Trauma Director and Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery at McGill University.

Tobogganing safety

The majority of serious tobogganing related injuries seen at our centre are caused by a child sliding into a solid object such as a pole, bench, bale of hay or a rock. Many municipalities have taken good precautions to identify appropriate hills for this activity, but remember, not every hill is suited for tobogganing.

• Select hills that are free of obstacles. Many municipalities have well-groomed hills. When in doubt, choose those hills.
• Avoid hills that end near roads, parking lots or bodies of water.
• Never slide down snowbanks into the street.
• Always wear a properly fitted helmet, such as a ski or hockey helmet, to prevent head injuries.
• Use more traditional sleds and toboggans, which allow for better control.
• Young children should always be supervised.
• Do not pile too many people on a toboggan. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. 
• Always sit facing forward, never stand or lie head-first.
• Get out of the way at the bottom of the tobogganing hill to avoid being hit by oncoming sliders.

Snow fort safety
Snow forts with roofs or tunnels can collapse and children can get trapped underneath. The Montreal Children’s Hospital advises families to:

• Build walls only, avoiding enclosed spaces.
• Supervise children at all times while playing in or around snow structures.
• Teach older children to always play with a buddy.
• Avoid playing in snow piles near the roads.

Road safety
Heavy snowfall means an increase in snowplow and snow removal activity. These large vehicles have limited visibility and snow piles can pose unexpected dangers. Parents should remind children to:

• Watch for and stay at a safe distance from snowplows and other snow-clearing equipment.
• Stay clear of roads while playing in the snow.
• Never play near snowbanks at the side of the road, as they can collapse or conceal dangers.

“By working together, parents, children, teens and local municipalities can reduce the number of injuries by following these safety tips,” says Liane Fransblow, MCH Trauma Centre’s Injury Prevention Coordinator.

Here is additional advice to make sure families can enjoy winter while staying safe:

• Always shovel out your car before turning it on to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Children lose heat from their bodies quicker than adults and are therefore more prone to frostbite. Remember to dress them in layers appropriately for the weather. Immediately remove any wet clothing such as socks or gloves and bring children in regularly to warm up.