Winter weather is welcomed by some and loathed by others. Some want to hibernate until the mercury rises and the warm sun returns, while others relish in the crisp air, fluffy snow and the absence of insects.

Wintertime activities are numerous and include everything from ice hockey to snowshoeing. However, nothing beats an afternoon of sledding for active families. Believe it or not, the first sleds traveled on sand instead of snow. Historians say the earliest evidence of sledding dates back to ancient Egypt, where carved rock sleds were used for convenience and labour needs. But it was Russian aristocrats who created the first recreational sledding events in the 1650s. Youth would carve large blocks out of ice and traverse hills on wooden tracks. Eventually more modern sleds were used on snow directly, and children from all social classes and around the globe got their thrills from downhill adventures.

On snowy days, scores of children and their parents often take to neighborhood hills to test their sledding skills and feel the breeze blowing by. While sledding can be exciting, it also has the potential to be dangerous. Follow these sledding safety tips to reduce the risk of sledding injury:

• Pick a safe sled that has brakes and can be steered. Make sure that all sledding equipment is in good condition.

• Choose gently sloping hills with a level run-off at the end so the sled can safely come to a stop.

• Avoid hills with obstacles, such as rocks and trees.

• Sledding participants should always wear helmets.

• Always sled feet-first. Going down a hill head-first is a recipe for serious injury.

• Do not sled around ponds, streams or lakes that appear frozen. They may not be solid and drowning or hypothermia can occur if sledders enter the water.

• Dress warmly and wear thick gloves or mittens and heavy boots. This clothing can protect against frostbite and injury.

• Avoid hills that end near a street or parking lot.

• Everyone should go down the hill one at a time with only one person riding on the sled. The only exception is for adults with young children.

• Don’t ever pull a sled with a moving vehicle like a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle.

• Sled only during the day or in well-lit areas at night.

Sledding is an entertaining activity this time of year. All sledders should keep safety in mind before hitting the hills.