In recent days, the number of patients who sustained injuries while sledding has sharply increased at the Children's Clinical University Hospital, confirmed the head of the Emergency Medical Center of the Children's Hospital, Marks Ronis, to the LETA agency.
The hospital reported that in the first four to five days of January this year, 47 injuries related to sledding have already been registered, whereas the total number of such injuries for the entire last year was 61. Of all the children who sustained injuries in this way this year, seven had to be hospitalized.
The hospital indicated that in approximately 70% of cases, lighter injuries were sustained, while about 30% were more severe.
Severe injuries are characterized by bleeding, loss of consciousness, and other serious symptoms. As noted by Ronis, in one case, a spinal injury was sustained, while another patient had a large wound and a leg fracture, which required surgical treatment.
Most often, specifically in 44% of cases, injuries were sustained by children aged eight to 13 years. Another 20% were teenagers aged 14–17 years, 20% were children aged four to seven years, and 12% were aged one to three years.
Ronis suggests that the increase in injuries may have been provoked by the long holidays and snowy weather conditions, when residents try to take the opportunity to go sledding, but may not always adhere to safe behavior principles.
As reported by bb.lv, the Emergency Medical Service also urged adherence to safety measures during winter activities, including sledding down hills.
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