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Did you know that in 2012, 1.35 million children were seen in emergency departments for a sport-related injury? And every 3 minutes, a child is seen for a sport-related concussion.
April is National Youth Sports Safety Month so it’s a perfect time to learn a few simple tips to keep young athletes safe so they can keep playing the games they love.
Here are 5 tips for coaches, parents and kids.
- Before playing organized sports, make sure young athletes receive a pre-participation physical exam, or PPE, by a doctor. This can help rule out any potential medical conditions that may place kids at risk.
- Bring a water bottle to practice and games. Encourage children to stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water before, during and after play.
- Stretching before practice and games can make a big difference by releasing muscle tension and helping prevent sports-related injuries, such as muscle tears or sprains. Make sure there is time set aside before every practice and game for athletes to warm up properly.
- An off-season is important, too. It is recommended that kids get 10 consecutive weeks of rest from any one sport every year. Playing different sports throughout the year is OK.
- Coaches should be certified in first aid and CPR, learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion and help avoid overuse injury by resting players during practices and games.
More Information
Want more? Watch this video to learn 7 exercises to prevent ACL injuries. Visit Safe Kids Worldwide for more sports safety resources.
