- Brain injury is the leading cause of sports- and recreation-related death.1
- Children in early adolescence demonstrate less motor coordination for pedaling bicycles as well as differences in bone development that affect motor skills.
- 11- to 14-year-olds may be reluctant to wear helmets. 2
- Wearing a helmet when riding wheeled vehicles can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent.2
- Helmets cost approximately $12.00-$15.00.
- Children who do not wear or use protective equipment are at greater risk of sustaining sports-related injuries.
- A $5 mouth guard can help reduce injury to the mouth, teeth, lips, cheeks and tongue. Research shows that mouth guards reduce the risk of losing a tooth, potentially saving $10,000 to $15,000 in lifetime dental costs. 3
- Children just beginning summer practices for organized sports are particularly vulnerable to suffering some form of heat illness such as dehydration or heat stroke.4
|
- Wear a properly fitting helmet when riding anything with wheels: bicycle, scooter, roller skates, in-line skates, rip sticks, etc.
- Actively supervise children at play.
- Don't let children ride bikes, skateboard or scooters in and around cars.
- Practice bike safety: learn the rules of the road, wear reflective clothes and stickers, and ride on sidewalks when possible.
- When riding wheeled vehicles, don’t wear ear phones that interfere with your ability to hear things around you.
- Maintain equipment properly.
- Check athletic grounds for hazards like rocks, holes or water.
- Always wear appropriate protective gear for the activity - for practice as well as games - and make sure it's the right size and properly adjusted.
- Make sure your child has a screening physical before playing sports.
- Make sure responsible adults know and enforce the safety rules of the sport, are present to provide supervision, and are trained in first aid and CPR.
- To prevent dehydration, make sure kids drink adequate liquids prior to, during and following athletic activities.
- Kids should receive adequate rest breaks during practice and games.
|
