Health & Safety

Did you know that about 30 million children and teens in the U.S. participate in organized sports programs annually? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “approximately 3.5 million children under 15 years of age receive medical attention for sports- and recreation-related injuries each year”.  Shriner’s Hospital for Children Greenvile is here to help with tips to keep your kids safe and healthy.

Here are some facts:

1. Almost one-third of childhood injuries are sports- or recreation-related.
2. More than 200,000 preschool and elementary school-age children are injured on playgrounds each year (primarily from falls).
3. Approximately half of all childhood sports- and recreation-related injuries involve bicycles, skates and skateboards.
4. Almost half of all sports-related injuries are incurred by children ages 5 – 14 year of age, and more than 775,000 of them receive treatment in an emergency room.
5. And, here is an interesting one: The most serious injuries happen during individual activities.

*Children under the age of 8 are more susceptible to injury as they are still growing.

What can you do to help prevent injuries to your kids? Here are some tips:

1. Have appropriate, well-fitting, sports-specific equipment and protection for games and practices. Know how to use it.
2. Do conditioning, strengthening and stretching exercises appropriate to the sport or recreational activity.
3. Learn the proper technique for the movements of the game, i.e. pitching, batting, etc.
4. Know to take a break at reasonable intervals.
5 Agree to play by the rules.
6. Agree to stop playing if you experience pain or feel very tired.
7. Drink plenty of fluids and know how to stay hydrated during and after activity.
8. Wear sunscreen and a hat.
9. When on a playground, observe the 5-foot rule. Children under 5 years of age should not use playground equipment that is taller than 5 feet.

Kids should be involved in more than one (age-appropriate) sport to prevent repetitive motion injuries. Also, make sure that your kids are in proper physical condition to play the sport. Make sure that the fields and equipment are properly maintained and that there is proper adult supervision. Playing sports should be fun and enjoyable, not dangerous.

Commit to establishing a set of safety standards for all sports activities as well other muscle or joint dangers.