Duck!
It's that time of year again... no it's not hunting season. It's time for kids' sports to kick into high gear. With soccer balls, baseballs and bats flying every which way, it's also a good reminder for all of us parents to brush up on ways to keep our kids safe.
Every year, in the United States, more than 1.1 million children from ages 5 to 14 head to the emergency room with sports injuries. Sports safety begins with you-plus, the right equipment, the right training and the right supervision.
Following these tips will help keep your kids in the game and hopefully out of the ER!
Mind your Ped
Way before lacing up and warming up, comes a trip to the pediatrician's office for a checkup to make sure your child is in top shape to play.
Warm Up
Any time exercise is involved it's a good idea to stretch those muscles first to help prevent pulls, strains and sprains. Have your child do some simple stretches and jogging in place to loosen things up and get ready to play.
Know the Rules
When your child knows the rules of the game, he's less likely to get hurt because he knows what's expected of him, and what to expect from his teammates. To help prevent surprises, review the rules with him before game-time if you suspect he could use a refresher.
Wear the Right Gear
Helmets are the most common protective gear. The most important thing is to get one that fits correctly, and wear the right helmet for the right sport. Other possible protective essentials might include a mouth guard, pads, wrists and elbow guards and cleats. Be sure to talk with the coach about appropriate gear.
Stay Hydrated
Kids get overheated easily and can't cool down as quickly as adults can. A child can lose up to a quart of sweat during two hours of strenuous exercise. Keep him well hydrated with water or an electrolyte-fueled sports drink before, during, and after play.
Don't Play When Injured
Some kids are afraid to tell their parents or coach when they're hurt because they don't want to get taken out of the game. Take special note of how your child is acting and never let him "play through" the pain. Playing when hurt, or before an injury has time to heal, can lead to an even worse injury.
Remember RICE
If there is an injury, this acronym helps remind parents and kids alike how to treat it.
• Rest the body part that's hurt
• Ice the injured area
• Compress the area by applying a bandage
• Elevate the injured body part by inclining it with a pillow
It's important for your kids to develop sports safety skills early on. To help keep them safe, take a sports safety clinic, which teaches coaches and parents how to avoid and treat injuries. A non-profit called Safe Kids U.S.A. offers clinics in more than 20 cities, maybe yours! Visit http://www.safekids.org/sports to find out.
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