Score Big this Fall Sports Season by Remembering Safety First!

With the days getting shorter and cool weather knocking on the door in many parts of the country, children are eagerly awaiting the start of the new sports season. Whether they’ll be playing football, soccer, field hockey, cheerleading, rugby, gymnastics or another active endeavor, it’s important to make sure your kids are properly prepared before they suit up and hit the field.

Participation in sports is proven to provide children with countless benefits. It can improve physical fitness, increase coordination and promote self-discipline. Athletics can also create a sense of personal satisfaction, accomplishment and self-esteem. However, great interest and growth in organized athletics has equated to an increase in sports- and recreation-related injuries.

Each year, more than 3.5 million children ages 14 and under are treated for sports injuries. The majority of these injuries are from falls, collisions, overexertion or being struck by an object. Fortunately, when the proper precautions are taken in getting children ready to play, getting hurt doesn’t have to be “part of the game.”

“Before participating in a sport, every child should receive a general health exam,” says Martin R. Eichelberger, M.D., director of Emergency Trauma Services, Children’s National Medical Center, and president and CEO of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. “More than 30 million kids play organized sports in the U.S. – and that’s great news! But it’s important for them to have a regular check-up with a physician prior to participating. It’s also very important for them to start getting back into shape for their sport or activity before the season gets into full gear.”

The National SAFE KIDS Campaign recommends the following safety checklist for parents to help ensure their kids are properly prepared for sports activities:

Get Ready:

• Before the season begins, my kids gradually increase their activity level and have their regular check-ups with their doctor.

• My kids understand the basic skills of the sport before they get into the game.

• My kids drink plenty of fluids before, during and after playing sports and eat a well-balanced diet.

• My child’s coach and athletic trainer have a list of emergency contacts, just in case there is a problem and I cannot be reached.

• When I carpool, I make sure all kids have their own child safety seats or safety belts and sit in a rear seat if they are under age 13.

Get Set:

• My kids warm up and stretch before playing their sport.

• My kids always wear the right, properly fitted protective gear and use sunblock.

• Field surfaces and playing areas are inspected and safe before my kids begin playing.

• My kids play team sports under the supervision of a coach and a certified athletic trainer.

Go!:

• My kids are properly supervised at all times.

• My kids take regular rest breaks at practice and at the game.

• My kids do not “play through” an injury.

• Parents, coaches and players always practice good sportsmanship and play by the rules.

Nearly three quarters of U.S. households with school-age children have at least one child who plays organized sports. In 2002, among children age 5 to 14 treated in hospital emergency rooms:

Nearly 187,800 were treated for football-related injuries.

Nearly 76,200 were treated for soccer-related injuries.

Nearly 21,200 were treated for gymnastics-related injuries.

More than 11,000 were treated for cheerleading-related injuries.

More than 2,000 were treated for field hockey-related injuries.

More than 300 were treated for rugby-related injuries.

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