Snowcrete's Danger: Hospitals See Rise in Injuries

In the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, a significant increase in injuries has been reported due to severe winter weather conditions, characterized as "snowcrete." Area hospitals and rescue services have noted a rise in slips, falls, and serious sledding-related incidents, exacerbated by unshoveled sidewalks and icy hillsides. Medical professionals highlight that the unique "snowcrete" composition, a mix of snow and ice, leads to faster and more severe sledding accidents.

Adam Kochman, medical director of pediatric emergency medicine at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children, stated that injuries range from orthopedic fractures to dangerous collisions with stationary objects like tree branches. Humaira Ashraf, a sports medicine physiatrist at MedStar Health in D.C., urged heightened caution, especially for children sledding. She strongly recommended that children wear bike or skateboarding helmets and always sled feet-first to prevent severe brain or spinal cord injuries from potential falls.

To ensure safety during this period, experts advise several precautions. They recommend adopting a "penguin walk" with feet outward for stability on icy surfaces and avoiding distractions like cellphones. Pedestrians should stay on sidewalks, even if unshoveled, and avoid walking in streets. Visibility of ice can be low, so daytime travel is preferred. Both walking and driving should be done at slower speeds, allowing extra time.

For sledding enthusiasts, thorough inspection of the sledding path is crucial to avoid collisions with parked cars, trees, fences, signs, or rocks. Steep, icy hills increase speed and impact severity. Additionally, dressing warmly is essential to prevent the dangers of prolonged exposure to frigid temperatures.