Safety equipment is something that every child should have. Do you have the same vigilance for your child’s practice? If not, you aren’t alone. Safe Kids USA found that 33 percent of parents are more concerned about safety when playing sports, even though 62% of injuries related to organized sports occur at practice.
Sports are a great way to help kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children participate in physical activity. Parents can make practices safer. Here are some tips.
* Make sure your child is healthy enough to play sports in the first place. Before signing up to any sport, your child should get a physical.
* Make sure that practice facilities are safe. Ask your school for help in making the gym less slippery. Many companies have developed floor cleaners that reduce slip resistance. Traction-Pak by PAK-IT (www.pakit.com) cleans and polishes floors while also creating a non-slip surface.
Slips and falls are a major reason for injury in schools. It is easy to improve safety by cleaning the hallways and cafeteria with a slip resistant floor cleaner.
* Make sure kids wear the proper safety equipment for their sport. Equipment should fit properly and be maintained. Equipment should be the same for practice and play as it is for games.
* Don’t allow your child to overtrain. Children used to play multiple sports in the past. Today, children are under pressure to play one sport all year. This leads to repetitive motion injuries such as pitcher’s knee and overuse. Encourage children not to only play one sport, but to also try different positions.
* Keep kids fueled. Dehydration and overexertion can cause problems on the practice fields. Give healthy snacks to your children and ensure that they get enough water. Children should be given frequent breaks during hot weather.
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