2015-10-07 P & R Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 1 Check Out The Hill!—Sled Safe I 1 I 1 Is Your Hill Safe? i The following section lists questions one i should ask about an existing or proposed sliding ' hill. Answers which explain why the questions should be asked,follow. r • Are there any dangers not clearly visible? The entire sliding area should be easily visible from the top of the hill. • Is the safe sliding area(take-off,slope and run-out)identified with signs, fences,flags,etc.?—i.e.,how does one know if they are sliding in a safe area? Perimeter marking should clearly define the limit of a safe sliding area. This zone needs to be reviewed routinely to ensure that these warn- ing arning devices are in place and visible. • Are there any collidable hazards,such as trees,picnic tables,benches, fences,posts,tree stakes,rocks,lamp posts,culverts,hydrants,mail boxes, garbage containers,sportsfield equipment (goal posts,backstops),power transformers,walls? If so,remove them,or change the sliding area loca- tion,or place hay bales around the base of any fixed object on the uphill face and sides. • Are there any changes in grade that could cause a sled to go out of con-, trol? Even the smallest bumps or irregularities in the track can cause a sled to veer off course. Remove jumps that children build to increase the challenge of their sliding experience. The most crucial areas for removal Of bumps (either natural or intentionally built)is at the toe of the hill where the sleds approach the run-out space. It is in this area that the high- est speeds are attained,and loss of control and landing force are the most severe. • Is the hill run-out area either level or sloped uphill? Run-out areas with downhill slopes require longer areas for stopping. • Is there any possibility that the sled might run out into a parking lot,or street or onto a sidewalk? If so,change the sliding area location,or make the slope flatter and shorter to slow the sled speeds so that the hazardous area cannot be reached. • Is the run-out onto a lake? Be sure the area connecting the hill with the lake does not have any stormwater or stream inlets or outlets nearby, these melt much earlier than the lake ice,and their ice is not as thick because of the warmer air in the pipes and constant water movement. Do not sled onto stream or river ice. A Community Resource Guide page 11