A Riga resident posted a warning for parents in the Facebook group "Mūsu mammas," urging them to urgently talk to their children about safety during winter activities.
The reason for concern stems from regular accidents at Dreiliņkalns ("Ushakov's hat"), where children ride sleds and tubes.
According to the author of the report, despite the fact that winter sliding is a popular and joyful activity, injuries occur almost daily on this slide. The slope is littered with stones, causing children to suffer serious injuries when they fall. Additional danger comes from varying starting heights and high speeds — children often collide with each other. Numerous bumps and unevenness act like trampolines: sleds and tubes soar into the air, and landings often end in falls.
Particular alarm is raised by reports of serious injuries recorded over the past weekend and earlier. According to a Riga resident, one girl suffered a spinal fracture, and a boy reportedly injured his neck — after falling, he lay motionless. Children sliding down the hill with their parents are supervised, but many teenagers slide without adults, leaving everything to chance.
The author of the publication notes that during their time outside that same day, they saw four ambulance crews. According to her, the situation is so serious that it seems the medics will soon have to be on standby at the site permanently. It is also emphasized that inflatable tubes easily tear on the stones, further increasing the risk of injury.
A Riga resident strongly urges parents to talk to their children and explain the possible consequences. "It’s very sad for the children. The risk of becoming disabled due to sliding down a hill is not a joke," the message states. She categorically advises those planning to come to this hill from other parts of the city not to choose this place for winter recreation.
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