Protecting Your Child from Sports Injuries

As a parent of 5 teenagers, I know how common injuries can be in children. As my kids were growing up it seemed as if everyday brought a new bump or bruise to one of the tender little spots on their rapidly developing, overactive bodies. And if you're a parent you know that, as careful as you are with you're child, and no matter how many safety measures you use, the fact is, they're going to get banged up. They play hard and don't always make the smartest choices. Little boys wear their bruises as badges of glory to attest to how tough they are. However, as parents we should be aware that serious injuries are common when our children are at play, especially when they are participating in sports activities. When our children are involved in sports activities, there are precautions that can be taken to minimize the risks of injuries in our children. The basic precautions would of course be to wear all the necessary safety gear. In football, a helmet, shoulder pads, thigh, butt and knee pads are recommended. In baseball, a batting helmet to prevent injuries to the head, and of course, catchers gear is great for catchers. A cup should always be worn by boys when participating in any sports activities, to prevent injuries to the groin area.

Skateboarding is another popular but dangerous sports activity for kids. The American Academy Of Pediatrics reports that at least 700 kids are injured every year by using skateboards. If your child is an avid skateboarding fan make sure they know and implement safety measures and procedures such as wearing the proper gear and keeping their equipment in tip top shape by daily maintenance. Bicycling is another dangerous sport for kids and as parents we should always insure they are wearing the proper gear, such as a helmet, knee and elbow pads. Check their bikes periodically to insure that their equipment is in proper working order. Besides wearing proper protective gear there are other ways we can better insure our children's safety when participating in sports activities. Making sure they are physically and emotionally ready before participating in any sport is essential. You wouldn't want your 4 year old son playing in a football game with kids who are older than him. It's been reported by the American Academy Of Pediatrics that injuries in children who are just beginning a sport are more common. Getting a physical for your child before they begin playing sports is very important and can be beneficial in preventing injuries in the future. Injuries in teenagers tend to be more like adult injuries in general, such as torn ligaments, sore or pulled muscles, dislocations and things of that nature. So teach your teen that warming up and stretching every day before playing is very important. Stay in constant contact with coaches and staff of any team that your child participates on. Most times a child will mention any soreness or pain to their coach, who proceeds to inform the parent. That way if there's a problem you know it instantly and can take steps to rectify the situation. A good coach is one that makes every players safety the most important element of a game. As parents its our responsibility to insure our children's safety and to keep them healthy. For these and other interesting ideas on preventing injuries in your child visit www.aaop.com.