The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office released a few safety tips on sledding, as it has proven to be a popular activity in recent days. However, picking the right location to sled is key to staying safe and staying out of troble. 

Over the past week, authorities have had to tell people not to sled in some areas that may seem obvious as bad locations, one of those locations being Tiger Hill - even has permanent signs posted that say "No Sledding"...

That was Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Michael Rodgers. Other locations where people should not sled include...



As far as buying a sled, reports indicate Holden Hardware on the Murfreesboro Square (108 S Maple St, Murfreesboro, TN 37130) still has a few left. Of course, that could change any minute.

The Sheriff's Office advices that sledders use common sense when picking sledding sites, which is one reason they posted a few tips for sledding, as seen in the report they gathered from the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (below).

The hospital noted that the thrill of riding down a snowy, icy hill can quickly turn from fun to tragedy in a matter of seconds.

There are approximately 45,000 sledding injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms each year. To prevent an injury in your neighborhood, always remember these safety tips.

Make sure that children wear a helmet when sled riding. Many head injuries occur because children often ride headfirst.

Always supervise young children when they sled ride.

Teach children to roll off a sled that won’t stop. Tell them not to worry about what happens to the sled when they roll off it. You can help them retrieve it at the bottom of the hill.

Make sure that children are dressed warmly and that they wear heavy gloves and boots to prevent cuts, bruises and frostbite. If they get wet, encourage them to come in for dry clothing.

A “steerable” wooden sled with flexible metal runners is recommended for children ages 6 to 12 years. Inspect the sled often to make sure that it is still in good condition, and instruct children to tell you if they have an accident.

Inner tubes, saucers and snow disks are not recommended because of their fast speed and lack of steering capability.

Find a safe environment for children to sled ride. Avoid steep hills (the climb of the hill should be 30º or less), cliffs, rocky hills, the street, driveways, icy surfaces (you cannot steer or stop on ice) and areas with trees, walls or cars.

Do not permit children to sled ride in dark or poorly lit areas.

Make sure children understand that riding a sled being pulled behind a moving vehicle is extremely dangerous.

Tell children to never ride into a snow bank – there could be hidden dangers such as a tree stump or rocks.