Experts recommend helmets while sledding after deadly accident
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After a 11-year-old girl died in a sledding accident on New Year's Day, experts are reminding parents to be very careful when taking their children sledding. Video by ktnv.com
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Mt. Charleston, NV (KTNV) -- After a 11-year-old girl died in a sledding accident on New Year's Day, experts are reminding parents to be very careful when taking their children sledding.
Experts suggest avoiding areas with lots of trees, avoiding hills that are too steep, and wearing helmets.
"I think it's smart to wear a helmet in any type of outdoor winter activity, whether its sledding, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling," said Kevin Stickelman, general manager of the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort.
"All of those acitivites come with a risk," said Stickelman. He said more fatalities occur each year related to sledding compared to skiing and snowboarding. Stickelman believes it's because you have less control over sleds.
Parents took those tips seriously just one day after the girl's death.
"I was a little skeptical at coming down here today," said visitor Henry Mitchell. "But, I knew that the kids had been looking forward to it since Christmas, so I just figured we'd take extra precautions."
During the month of January, the Ski & Snowboard resort is giving away free helmets to youngsters as part of their "Lids for Kids" program.
11-year-old Vanesa Lara from Las Vegas died Tuesday from severe injuries. Lara was flown to UMC but died in the hospital from the injuries sustained during her sledding accident.
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