Carilion Seeing Rise in Pediatric Winter Accidents, Mostly from Sledding

Icy conditions lead to higher speeds and more severe injuries, hospital officials warn.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 1:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, Virginia has seen a significant increase in pediatric winter-related accidents this month, with two-thirds of emergency department visits attributed to sledding injuries ranging from minor cuts and bruises to serious trauma. The hospital's pediatric trauma program manager says the icy conditions are to blame, as they reduce friction and cause sleds to accelerate more quickly, leading to more forceful collisions and falls.

Why it matters

Sledding is a popular winter activity for children, but the recent ice storms have made the slopes more dangerous. This uptick in accidents highlights the need for parents and children to take proper safety precautions when sledding to avoid serious injuries that could require emergency medical treatment.

The details

According to Tanya Trevilian, the pediatric trauma program manager at Carilion, the hospital has seen 20 pediatric winter-related accidents so far this month, five of which were severe trauma cases. This is 13 more cases than the same time last year. Trevilian explains that the icy conditions reduce friction, causing sleds to accelerate more quickly, and the higher speeds lead to more forceful collisions and falls.

  • This week alone, nearly two-thirds of emergency department visits were related to sledding.
  • So far this month, Carilion has seen 20 pediatric winter-related accidents, five of which were severe trauma cases.
  • This is 13 more cases than the same time last year.

The players

Tanya Trevilian

The pediatric trauma program manager at Carilion Clinic.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“You go at an increased speed, so ice reduces friction, so sleds accelerate quicker. Higher speed means collisions and falls are more forceful, increasing injury severity.”

— Tanya Trevilian, Pediatric Trauma Program Manager

What’s next

Carilion officials are urging parents and children to take proper safety precautions when sledding, such as choosing gentle hills away from obstacles, wearing helmets, and sledding feet-first to reduce the risk of head and spinal injuries.

The takeaway

This uptick in winter-related accidents, especially among children, highlights the importance of safety when engaging in popular cold-weather activities like sledding. By taking simple precautions, families can help prevent serious injuries and trips to the emergency room.