Play It Safe

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are off-road vehicles for recreational use. In most states, it’s legal for older kids and teens to ride them, even without a driver’s license. But with the thrills come major safety risks.

ATVs can be unstable and hard to control, particularly at high speeds. Rollovers and collisions happen often, and some of these are fatal. In a nearly 30-year study, experts report that almost 12,000 people were killed in the United States while riding these vehicles — and 25% were kids younger than 16.

Injuries from riding ATVs are common, too. Between 2001 and 2011, 33% of ATV-related emergency-room visits were in kids younger than 16. As a result, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) discourages kids ages 16 or younger from driving or riding on ATVs.

If you decide to let your child ride an ATV, make sure he or she follows safety precautions and understands how to safely operate the vehicle. While this helps to reduce the risk of injury or death, the only way to truly keep kids safe is to prevent them from riding ATVs.

What Are ATVs?

ATVs are motorized vehicles that are meant to be used off-road or on dirt roads, not on paved roads or highways. They usually have four large balloon-style tires, with a seat in the middle that a rider straddles while steering by the handlebars. There are still some three-wheeler ATVs around, but manufacturers stopped making them in 1988 due to concerns about stability and safety.

Weighing more than 800 pounds, ATVs have large, powerful engines that allow them to reach speeds of 50 mph or more. They have a high center of gravity and no roll bars, safety cages, or seatbelts, meaning they can tip easily, throw riders and passengers off, or even roll over on top of riders. This can cause serious injury or death, usually because of head injuries. Other common injuries include cuts, scrapes, broken collarbones, and broken arms and legs.

Who Can Ride (and Who Shouldn’t)

There are no federal regulations or age limits when it comes to riding ATVs. Instead, each state has its own guidelines and laws. Some states require ATV riders to be 16 years old and have a safety certificate. Other states allow kids as young as 10 to ride ATVs as long as they’re supervised by an adult with a valid driver’s license.

The AAP does not recommend ATV use for children and teens 16 or younger. ATVs can be too large for smaller kids to handle safely, even if it’s legal for them to be riding them. Safely operating an ATV requires the driver to make quick decisions, such as speeding up, slowing down, or shifting his or her weight in response to changes in the environment. Kids under 16 are unlikely to be able to make these choices or have the skills to carry them out.

If your child does ride an ATV, make sure you understand and follow the rules of your state. This applies even if your child won’t be steering the ATV. Many states don’t allow passengers to ride unless the ATV is specifically designed to carry two people.

Safety Guidelines

Kids age 16 and younger should not ride an ATV. To reduce the risk of an accident or injury, anyone riding an ATV should follow these tips before and during riding:

• Take a safety certification program to learn how to operate an ATV safely.
• Ride an ATV that’s right for your size and age. Visit 4-H ATV Safety for information on how to tell if an ATV is right for a rider.
• Always wear an approved helmet and eye protection. In many states, helmets and eye protection are required by law, particularly for kids.
• Wear long pants, long sleeves, gloves, and over-the-ankle boots to help prevent scrapes and cuts.
• Only ride during daylight hours.
• Always ride at a safe speed on a designated ATV trail.
• Know basic first aid to treat minor injuries, and be able to get help in an emergency.

It’s important to never do the following while riding an ATV:

• Never ride on a three-wheel ATV.
• Never ride while drinking alcohol or using drugs.
• Never ride on paved surfaces or public roads (except to cross them).
• Never exceed the limit of passengers allowed by the manufacturer.
• Never allow kids and teens to drive another passenger.

ATV riding will always be risky — and because they’re fun, many kids and teens will want to try them. There are no guarantees that kids won’t get hurt, even with precautions and protective laws in place. But by making sure that riders follow safety precautions and know how to use ATVs safely, parents can do their best to help protect them from being injured.

Bike riding is a great way to get exercise and fresh air and share time as a family. But before you and the kids rush out and start pedaling, there’s an important factor that you need to consider — safety.

Helmet Basics

Bicycle helmet use should not be optional for anyone in your family, no matter where you are or how short the ride. In many states it’s the law.

Here’s why: Many bike accidents involve a head injury, so a crash could mean permanent brain damage or death for someone who doesn’t wear one while riding. In fact, each year in the United States, about half a million kids are seriously injured in bicycle-related accidents, and most of those injuries could have been avoided if a helmet was worn. To protect against brain injury, make sure your kids wear a correctly fitting helmet on every ride.

Here are some things to keep in mind when buying a helmet:

• Pick bright colors or fluorescent colors that are visible to drivers and other cyclists.
• Look for a helmet that’s well ventilated.
• Make sure that the helmet has a CPSC or Snell sticker inside. These indicate that the helmet meets standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or the Snell Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit group that tests helmet safety.
• Make sure your child’s helmet fits correctly and can be adjusted.

You should be able to get help finding a well-fitting helmet and adjusting it properly at any bicycle store.

When kids wear a helmet, make sure that the straps are fastened. Also make sure they don’t wear any other hat underneath it.

Be sure to replace any helmet made before 1999. If your child hits any surface hard while wearing a helmet, replace it — helmets lose their capacity to absorb shock after taking serious hits.

A few bike helmets can be used as protection for other activities, but in general, they’re best suited to biking. Most helmets are made for one specific type of activity — for example, special helmets also are made for inline skating, baseball, and snowmobiling.

Kids should not wear any helmet when they’re on a playground or climbing a tree — there is a risk of strangulation from the chin strap during these types of activities.

Safe Clothing

What kids wear when riding a bike is also very important for safety:

• Fluorescent or bright-colored clothes will help kids be visible on the road, and they’re more visible than white clothes. (Avoid dark clothes, especially during early dusk and twilight hours.)
• Wear something that helps to reflect light like reflective tape.
• Lightweight clothes will help them avoid becoming overheated.
• Pant legs shouldn’t be too loose-fitting or flared. These can get caught up in the chain while riding.
• If your child wears a backpack while riding, make sure the straps are tied up and can’t get tangled in the spokes of the wheels. Keep the backpack as light as possible.
• Choose shoes that grip the bike’s pedals. Cleats, shoes with heels, or flip-flops can all create problems while riding. Kids should never ride barefoot!

Rules of the Road for Bike Riding

Here are some must-know safety tips to teach kids:

• Stop at all stop signs and obey traffic lights just as cars do. Yield to pedestrians, stop at red lights, and be especially careful at intersections.
• Always ride in the same direction as cars do. Never ride against traffic.
• Older kids should try to use bike lanes or designated bike routes whenever you can — not the sidewalk! Kids less than 10 years should ride on the sidewalk.
• Never ride at dusk or in the dark.
• Always stop and check for traffic in both directions when leaving a driveway, an alley, or a curb.
• Watch traffic closely for turning cars or cars leaving driveways.
• Don’t ride too close to parked cars — doors can open suddenly.
• Always walk a bike across busy intersections using the crosswalk and following traffic signals.
• When riding in a group, always ride single file on the street.
• When passing other bikers or people on the street, always pass to their left and call out “On your left!” so they’ll watch for you.
• Never share the seat with a friend or ride on the handlebars — only one person should be on a bike at a time. It’s easy to lose balance or suddenly swerve into traffic when riding with a passenger.
• Never wear headphones while biking — it’s essential to hear everyone else on the road at all times.
• Never stand up while riding a bike.
• Never hitch a ride on a moving vehicle.
• Never change directions or lanes without first looking behind you, and always use the correct hand signals. Use your left arm for all hand signals:
  • Left turn: After checking behind you, hold your arm straight out to the left and ride forward slowly.
  • Stop: After checking behind you, bend your elbow, pointing your arm downward in an upside down “L” shape and come to a stop.
  • Right turn: After checking behind you, bend your elbow, holding your arm up in an “L” shape, and ride forward slowly. Or, hold your right arm straight out from your side.

Bike Maintenance

Check your child’s bike at least once each season to keep it safe and well-maintained.

Be sure to check:

• tires — inflate to the pressure that’s recommended on the sidewall of the tire
• chain — oil it regularly and remove dirt
• handlebars — adjust for height as your child grows and tighten all bolts
• brakes — check for frayed cables and replace worn-out brake pads
• seat — keep the seat level and adjust for height as needed

Making Safety a Family Affair

One of the best ways to help kids learn safe bike riding is to set a good example by following the rules of the road yourself. Most important, always wear your helmet.

Go for bike rides with your kids so you can show them what safe riding looks like. It’s also a great way to stay active as a family and get valuable together time that you’ll all enjoy!

With all the sunscreens available these days (organic or mineral? water-resistant or sweat-resistant? lotion or spray?), choosing the right one for your kids can be tricky. But what matters most when picking a sunscreen is how well it protects skin from UV rays.

How to Choose

Look for SPF (sun protection factor) numbers on the labels of sunscreens. Select an SPF of 30 or higher to prevent sunburn and tanning, both of which are signs of skin damage. Choose a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays (usually labeled as a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen).

Sunscreen sprays are convenient but should be used with caution. For starters, sprays are easy to breathe in, which can irritate the lungs. Some sprays also are flammable, so you need to avoid sparks or flames when applying them and wearing them. And, sprays make it hard to tell if you have applied enough sunscreen, which increases the risk of sunburn.

Other things to consider:

• Don’t use sunscreens with PABA, which can cause skin allergies.
• For sensitive skin, look for products with the active ingredient titanium dioxide.
• If your teen or preteen wants to use a self-tanner sunscreen, be sure to get one that also has UV protection (many offer little or none).

Babies younger than 6 months should be kept out of the sun. When going outside, dress your baby in lightweight clothes that cover arms and legs — and don’t forget a hat. If you can’t avoid the sun, you can use a small amount of sunscreen on your baby’s exposed skin, like the hands and face.

How to Use

For sunscreen to do its job, it must be used correctly. Be sure to:

• Apply sunscreen whenever your kids will be in the sun. For best results, apply sunscreen about 15 to 30 minutes before kids go outside.
• Don’t forget about ears, hands, feet, shoulders, and behind the neck. Lift up bathing suit straps and apply sunscreen underneath them (in case the straps shift as a child moves). Protect lips with an SPF 30 lip balm.
• Apply sunscreen generously — dermatologists recommend using 1 ounce (enough to fill a shot glass) to cover the exposed areas of the body.
• Reapply sunscreen often, about every 2 hours. Reapply after a child has been sweating or swimming.
• Apply a water-resistant sunscreen if kids will be around water or swimming. Water reflects and intensifies the sun’s rays, so kids need protection that lasts. Water-resistant sunscreens may last up to 80 minutes in the water, and some are also sweat-resistant. But regardless of the water-resistant label, be sure to reapply sunscreen when kids come out of the water.
• Don’t worry about making a bottle of sunscreen last. Stock up, and throw out any sunscreen that is past its expiration date or that you have had for 3 years or longer.

Every child needs sun protection. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that all kids — regardless of their skin tone — wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Although dark skin has more protective melanin and tans more easily than it burns, tanning is a sign of sun damage. Dark-skinned kids also can get painful sunburns.

And remember to be a good role model. Consistently wearing sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater and limiting your sun exposure will reduce your risk of skin damage and teach your kids good sun sense.

Should kids be kept awake after a possible concussion? Or is it OK for them to sleep?
– Erin

It’s OK to allow a child to fall asleep after a possible concussion. In fact, especially for young kids, it can be difficult to keep them awake if they need to be taken to the doctor or emergency room (ER).

After any hit to the head, though, a child who falls asleep and can’t be wakened needs emergency medical attention. Get help right away if that happens.

Playgrounds and outdoor play equipment offer kids fresh air, friends, and exercise. So it’s important for parents to make sure that faulty equipment, improper surfaces, and careless behavior don’t ruin the fun.

Each year, more than 200,000 kids are treated in hospital ERs for playground-related injuries. Many of these accidents can be prevented with the proper supervision.

You can make the playground entertaining and safe for your kids by checking equipment for potential hazards and following some simple safety guidelines.

And teaching kids how to play safely is important: If they know the rules of the playground, they’re less likely to get hurt.

Adult Supervision

Adult supervision can help prevent injuries by making sure kids properly use playground equipment and don’t engage in unsafe behavior around it. If an injury does occur, an adult can assist the child and administer any needed first aid right away.

Kids should always have adult supervision on the playground. Young kids (and sometimes older ones) can’t always gauge distances properly and aren’t capable of foreseeing dangerous situations by themselves. Older kids like to test their limits on the playground, so it’s important for an adult to be there to keep them in check.

Before you visit a playground, check to make sure that play areas are designed to allow an adult to clearly see kids while they’re playing on all the equipment.

Playground Design Safety

The most important factors in evaluating the safety of any playground are proper surface, design and spacing, and equipment inspection and maintenance.

Surfaces

A proper playground surface is one of the most important factors in reducing injuries — and the severity of injuries — that occur when kids fall from equipment. The surface under the playground equipment should be soft enough and thick enough to soften the impact of a child’s fall.

Here are some things to consider:

• Concrete, asphalt, and blacktop are unsafe and unacceptable. Grass, soil, and packed-earth surfaces are also unsafe because weather and wear can reduce their capacities to cushion a child’s fall.
• The playground surface should be free of standing water and debris that could cause kids to trip and fall, such as rocks, tree stumps, and tree roots.
• There should be no dangerous materials, like broken glass or twisted metal.
• The surfaces may be loosely filled with materials like wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel, or shredded rubber. Wood chips containing chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treatment are not recommended since the material can pose a potential health hazard.
• Surfacing mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials are also safe.
• Rubber mats allow the best access for people in wheelchairs.
• Loose-fill surface materials 12 inches deep should be used for equipment up to 8 feet high. The material should not be packed down because this will reduce any cushioning effect.
• No surfacing materials are considered safe if the combined height of playground and the child (standing on the highest platform) is higher than 12 feet.
• The cushioned surface should extend at least 6 feet past the equipment. Additional coverage may be needed, depending on how high a slide is or how long a swing is.
• If there is loose-fill over a hard surface (like asphalt or concrete), there should be 3-6 inches of loose-fill like gravel, a layer of geotextile cloth, a layer of loose-fill surfacing material, and then impact mats under the playground equipment.

Keep in mind that even proper surfacing can’t prevent all injuries. Also, the greater the height of the equipment, the more likely kids may get injured if they fall from it.

Design and Spacing

Playground equipment should be designed for three different age groups: infants and toddlers under 2, 2- to 5-year-olds (preschoolers), and 5- to 12-year-olds (school-age kids).

In the safest playgrounds, play areas for younger children are separated from those meant for older kids and signs clearly designate each area to prevent confusion.

Younger children should not play on equipment designed for older kids because the equipment sizes and proportions won’t be right for small kids, and this can lead to injury. Likewise, older kids shouldn’t play on equipment designed for younger ones. Smaller equipment and spaces can cause problems for bigger kids.

Here are some things to check for to ensure the equipment is designed and spaced to be safe:

• Guardrails and protective barriers should be in place for elevated surfaces, including platforms and ramps.
• Play structures more than 30 inches high should be spaced at least 9 feet apart.
• Swings, seesaws, and other equipment with moving parts should be located in an area separate from the rest of the playground.
• Swings should be limited to two per bay.
• Tot swings with full bucket seats should have their own bay.
• Swings should be spaced at least 24 inches apart and 30 inches between a swing and the support frame.
• Be sure there are no spaces that could trap a child’s head, arm, or any other body part. All openings on equipment (for example, rungs on a ladder or bars on a guardrail) should measure less than 3½ inches or they should be wider than 9 inches.
• Climbing nets should have openings that are either too small to allow a child’s body through or large enough to prevent entrapment of the head. Net perimeters which are 17-18 inches pose entrapment hazards.
• Playground equipment with moving parts — like seesaws and merry-go-rounds — should be checked for pinch points that could pinch or crush a child’s finger or hand.

Maintenance and Inspection

Whether your kids play on a home or public playground, it’s important for you to take a general look at the equipment to make sure that it is clean and well maintained.

• There should be no broken equipment.
• Wooden equipment should not be cracking or splintering.
• Metal equipment should not be rusted.
• The fence surrounding a public playground should be in good condition to prevent kids from running into surrounding traffic.
• Surface materials on the playground should be maintained regularly so that the surfacing is loosely packed and covers all appropriate areas — especially the fall zones surrounding playground equipment.
• Playground equipment should be made of durable materials that won’t fall apart or worn down too much by the weather.

Check for objects (like hardware, S-shaped hooks, bolts, and sharp or unfinished edges) that stick out on equipment and could cut a child or cause clothing to become entangled.

All hardware on equipment should be secure, with no loose or broken parts. Plastic and wood should show no signs of weakening, and there should not be any splintered or rusted surfaces.

If the local playground has a sandbox, check for hazardous debris such as sharp sticks or broken glass, and be sure that the sand is free of bugs. Sandboxes should be covered overnight to prevent contamination from animals, such as cats.

Help keep your playground clean and safe by picking up trash, using the equipment properly, and reporting any problems to the city, town, or county parks department, school, or other organization that is responsible for the upkeep of the playground.

If a part seems broken, loose, or in need of other maintenance, designate it as off-limits immediately and report the problem to the appropriate authorities.

Teaching Kids About Playground Safety

Safe playground equipment and adult supervision are extremely important, but it’s only half of the equation: Kids must know how to be safe and act responsibly at the playground.

Teach your kids to:

• Never push or roughhouse while on jungle gyms, slides, seesaws, swings, and other equipment.
• Use equipment properly — slide feet first, don’t climb outside guardrails, no standing on swings, etc.
• Always check to make sure no other kids are in the way if they’re going to jump off equipment or slide, and land on both feet with their knees slightly bent.
• Leave bikes, backpacks, and bags away from the equipment and the play area so that no one trips over them.
• Always wear a helmet while bike riding, but take it off while on playground equipment.
• Never use playground equipment that’s wet because moisture makes the surfaces slippery.
• Check playground equipment in the summertime. It can become uncomfortably or even dangerously hot, especially metal slides, handrails, and steps. So use good judgment — if the equipment feels hot to the touch, it’s probably not safe or fun to play on. Contact burns can occur within seconds.
• Wear clothes that do not have drawstrings or cords. Drawstrings, purses, and necklaces could get caught on equipment and accidentally strangle a child.
• Wear sunscreen when playing outside even on cloudy days to protect against sunburn.

Safe Equipment Guidelines

Because swings, slides, and climbing equipment are so different from one another, each requires a different set of safety considerations. And some kinds of equipment are not safe for playgrounds, no matter how careful kids are.

Swing Safety

Swings are the most frequent source of childhood injuries from moving equipment on a playground. But a few simple precautions can help keep kids safely swinging in the breeze:

• Swings should be made of soft material such as rubber or plastic, not wood or metal.
• Kids should always sit in the swing, not stand or kneel. They should hold on tightly with both hands while swinging, and when finished swinging, stop the swing completely before getting off.
• Children should stay a safe distance from other kids on swings, being careful not to run or walk in front of or in back of moving swings.
• Kids should never ride with more than one child to a swing. Swings are designed to safely hold only one person.

Seesaw Safety

Because seesaw use requires cooperation between kids, they’re generally not recommended for preschoolers unless the seesaw has a spring-centering device to prevent abrupt contact with the ground. Regardless of design, both seesaws and merry-go-rounds should be approached with caution.

Other safety tips to keep in mind:

• Seesaw seats are like swings: one child per seat. A child who is too light to seesaw with a partner should find a different partner — not add another child to his or her side of the seesaw.
• Kids should always sit facing one another, not turned around.
• Teach kids to hold on tightly with both hands while on a seesaw, not to touch the ground or push off with their hands, and to keep feet to the sides, out from underneath the seesaw.
• Kids should stand back from a seesaw when it’s in use. They should never stand beneath a raised seesaw, stand and rock in the middle, or try to climb onto it while it’s in motion.

Slide Safety

Slides are safe if kids are careful when using them. Guidelines to keep in mind:

• Children should take one step at a time and hold onto the handrail when climbing the ladder to the top of the slide. They should not climb up the slide itself to get to the top.
• Kids should always slide down feet first and sitting up, never head first on their back or stomach.
• Only one child should be on the slide platform at a time, and kids shouldn’t slide down in groups.
• Kids should always check that the bottom of the slide is clear before sliding down. When they reach the bottom, they should get off and move away from the end of the slide so it’s clear for other kids to slide down.

Climbing Equipment Safety

Climbing equipment comes in many shapes and sizes — including rock climbing walls, arches, and vertical and horizontal ladders. It’s generally more challenging for kids than other kinds of playground equipment.

Be sure your kids are aware of a safe way down in case they can’t complete the climb. The highest rates of injuries on public playgrounds are associated with climbing equipment, which is dangerous if not designed or used properly. Adult supervision is especially important for younger kids.

Climbing equipment can be used safely if kids are taught to use both hands and to stay well behind the person in front of them and beware of swinging feet. When they drop from the bars, kids should be able to jump down without hitting the equipment on the way down. Remind kids to have their knees bent and land on both feet.

• Too many kids on the equipment at one time can be dangerous. Everyone should start on the same side of the equipment and move across it in the same direction.
• When climbing down, kids should watch for those climbing up; they should never race across or try to reach for bars that are too far ahead.
• Children younger than age 5 may not have the upper-body strength necessary for climbing and should only be allowed to climb on age-appropriate equipment. Preschoolers should only climb 5 feet high and school-age kids should only climb 7 feet high.

Track Ride Safety

Track rides are a form of upper-body equipment where kids hold on to a handle that slides along a track once they lift their feet. These rides require significant upper-body strength and are recommended for school-age kids and above.

• Track rides should not be included in play areas for toddlers and preschoolers.
• There should be no obstacles along the track path, especially in take-off and landing areas.
• If two track rides are next to each other, they should be spaced 4 feet apart, minimally.
• The handle should be between 64 inches and 78 inches from the surfacing.
• Nothing should be tied or attached to any part of the track ride.
• Rolling parts should be enclosed to avoid crush injuries.

Log Roll Safety

Log rolls require kids to grasp handles, then balance on top of the log as they spin it with their feet. This helps older kids to develop balance skills and increase strength.

• Log rolls are recommended for school aged-kids and above.
• All log rolls should have handholds to assist balance.
• The highest point of the log roll should be 18 inches above the protective surface.

Soft Contained Playgrounds

There are specific recommended safety checks for soft contained playgrounds:

• Make sure there are no tears or frays in the safety netting, cargo webbing, and ropes.
• The floor surface should be made of mats in good condition that are not torn and are placed tightly together.
• Look for the posted safety rules and size recommendations for the activity. Keep older kids away from areas designated for smaller children and vice versa.
• As in any other playground, kids should not wear clothing with loose strings, necklaces, or earrings.
• Many slides are contained in tubes, so a child going down will not see if there is anyone at the bottom of the slide. Kids should stay clear of the area at the bottom of slides and not climb up a slide.

Sprayground

More and more cities are opening spraygrounds, which are water playgrounds. At a sprayground, kids can spray each other with water cannons and get sprayed by dozens of water jets that squirt from different colored nozzles and hoses.

• Be sure to read posted signs for rules, age recommendations, and safety information. Often, no lifeguard is on duty.
• Protective footwear like water shoes with non-skid soles are a good idea to help prevent falls and other injuries. Remember to bring swimsuits, towels, sunscreen, and hats.
• Kids should not drink or inhale aerosols of water to minimize risk of water-borne illnesses.

Unsafe Playground Equipment

These types of equipment are not safe for playgrounds:

• animal figure swings
• glider swings that hold more than one child at a time
• swinging ropes that can fray, unravel, or form a noose (any kind of rope attached to play equipment poses a strangulation hazard, so never let your child tie jump ropes or leashes onto the equipment)
• exercise rings (as used in gymnastics) and trapeze bars
• monkey bars
• trampolines

Parents should not place plastic climbing equipment indoors. Even carpet does not give enough protection from falls. This type of equipment is intended for outdoor use on safe surfaces.

Play is an important part of kids’ physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development. Following these safety tips will help your kids play as safely as possible.

Causes of Sports Injuries

Participation in any sport, whether it’s recreational bike riding or Pee-Wee football, can teach kids to stretch their limits and learn sportsmanship and discipline. But any sport also carries the potential for injury.

By knowing the causes of sports injuries and how to prevent them, you can help make athletics a positive experience for your child.

Kids can be particularly at risk for sports injuries for a variety of reasons. Kids, especially those younger than 8 years old, are less coordinated and have slower reaction times than adults because they are still growing and developing. Also, kids mature at different rates, with differences in height and weight between kids of the same age. And when kids of varying sizes play sports together, there can be an increased risk of injury.

As kids grow bigger and stronger, the potential for injury increases, largely because of the amount of force involved. For example, a collision between two 8-year-old Pee-Wee football players who weigh 65 or 70 pounds each does not produce as much force as that produced by two 16-year-old high school football players who may each weigh up to 200 pounds.

Also, kids may not judge the risks of certain activities as well as adults would, which can lead to injuries.

Preventing Sports Injuries

You can help protect your kids from being injured by following some simple guidelines:

Use of Proper Equipment

It’s important for kids to use proper equipment and safety gear that is the correct size and fits well. For example, they should wear helmets for baseball, softball, bicycle riding, and hockey. They also should wear helmets while they’re inline skating or riding scooters and skateboards.

Ask your child’s coach about the appropriate helmets, shoes, mouthguards, athletic cups and supporters, and padding. For racquet sports, field hockey, lacrosse, basketball, softball, and baseball, ask about any protective eyewear, like shatterproof glasses.

Protective equipment should be approved by the organizations that govern each of the sports. Hockey facemasks, for example, should be approved by the Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC) or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Bicycle helmets should have a safety certification sticker from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

In the United States, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) sets many of the standards for helmets, facemasks, and shin guards. Besides meeting the NOSCAE standards, all equipment should be properly cared for so it stays effective over time.

Maintenance and Appropriateness of Playing Surfaces

Check that playing fields are not full of holes and ruts that might cause kids to fall or trip. Kids doing high-impact sports, like basketball and running, should do them on surfaces like tracks and wooden basketball courts, which can be more forgiving than surfaces like concrete.

Adult Supervision and Commitment to Safety

Any team sport or activity that kids participate in should be supervised by qualified adults. Select leagues and teams that have the same commitment to safety and injury prevention that you do.

The team coach should have training in first aid and CPR, and the coach’s philosophy should promote players’ well-being. A coach with a win-at-all-costs attitude may encourage kids to play through injury and may not foster good sportsmanship. Be sure that the coach enforces playing rules and requires that safety equipment be used at all times.

And make sure your kids play sports that match their skill level, size, and physical and emotional maturity.

Proper Preparation

Just as you wouldn’t send a child who can’t swim to a swimming pool, it’s important not to send kids to play a sport that they’re unprepared to play. Make sure that they know how to play the sport before going out on the field.

Kids should be adequately prepared with warm-ups and training sessions before practices and before games. This will help ensure that they have fun and reduce the chances of an injury. They also should should drink plenty of fluids and be allowed periods of rest during practices and games.

Common Types of Sports Injuries

Three common types of sports injuries in kids and teens are acute injuries, overuse injuries, and reinjuries:

Acute Injuries

Acute injuries happen suddenly and are usually associated with some form of trauma. In younger children, acute injuries often include minor bruises, sprains, and strains. Teen athletes are more likely to sustain more severe injuries, including broken bones and torn ligaments.

Severe acute injuries that can happen at any age include: eye injuries, including scratched corneas, detached retinas, and blood in the eye; broken bones or ligament injuries; brain injuries, including concussions, skull fractures, brain hemorrhages; and spinal cord injuries.

Acute injuries often happen because of a lack of proper equipment or the use of improper equipment. For example, without protective eyewear, eye injuries are extremely common in basketball and racquet sports. And many kids playing baseball and softball have suffered broken legs or ankles from sliding into immobile bases.

Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries are caused by repetitive actions that put too much stress on the bones and muscles. Although they can happen in adults too, they’re more problematic in young athletes because they can affect bone growth.

All kids who play sports can develop an overuse injury, but the likelihood increases with the amount of time a child spends on the sport.

Some of the most common types of overuse injuries are:

• anterior knee pain: Anterior knee pain is pain in the front of the knee under the kneecap. The knee will be sore and swollen due to tendon or cartilage inflammation. The cause is usually muscle tightness in the hamstrings or quadriceps, the major muscle groups around the thigh.
• Little League elbow: Repetitive throwing sometimes results in pain and tenderness in the elbow. The ability to flex and extend the arm may be affected, but the pain typically happens after the follow-through of the throw. Besides pain, pitchers sometimes complain of loss of velocity or decreased endurance.
• swimmer’s shoulder: Swimmer’s shoulder is an inflammation (swelling) of the shoulder caused by the repeated stress of the overhead motions used with swimming or throwing a ball. The pain usually begins intermittently but may become continuous pain in the back of the shoulder.
• shin splints: Shin splints are characterized by pain and discomfort on the front of the lower parts of the legs. They’re often caused by repeated running on a hard surface or overtraining at the beginning of a season.
• spondylolysis: Spondylolysis often results from constant overextension, which puts too much stress on the bones of the lower back. This can cause persistent lower back pain. Spondylolysis is commonly seen in kids who participate in soccer, football, weight lifting, gymnastics, wrestling, and diving.

Overuse injuries can be caused or aggravated by:

• growth spurts or an imbalance between strength and flexibility
• inadequate warm-up
• excessive activity (for example, increased intensity, duration, or frequency of playing and/or training)
• playing the same sport year-round or multiple sports during the same season
• improper technique (for example, overextending on a pitch)
• unsuitable equipment (for example, nonsupportive athletic shoes)

Reinjuries

Reinjury happen when an athlete returns to the sport before a previous injury has sufficiently healed. Athletes are at a much greater risk for reinjury when they return to the game before recovering fully. Doing so places stress upon the injury and forces the body to compensate for the weakness, which can put the athlete at greater risk for injuring another body part.

Reinjury can be avoided by allowing an injury to completely heal. Once the doctor has approved a return to the sport, make sure that your child properly warms up and cools down before and after exercise.

Sudden exertion also can cause reinjury, so your child should re-enter the sport gradually. Explain that easing back into the game at a sensible pace is better than returning to the hospital!

Treating Sports Injuries

Treatment of sports injuries depends on the type of injury.

For acute injuries, many pediatric sports medicine specialists usually take a “better safe than sorry” approach. If an injury appears to affect basic functioning in any way — for example, if your child can’t bend a finger, is limping, or has had a change in consciousness — first aid should be given immediately. A doctor should then see your child. If the injury seems to be more serious, it’s important to take your child to the nearest hospital emergency department.

For overuse injuries, the philosophy is similar. If your child complains of pain, it’s the body’s way of saying there’s a problem. Limit activity until your child sees a doctor. The doctor can then determine whether it’s safe to return to play or if your child needs to see a sports medicine specialist. Doctors usually can diagnose overuse injuries by taking a medical history, examining the child, and ordering X-rays, if needed.

It’s important to get overuse injuries diagnosed and treated to prevent them from turning into larger, chronic problems. Doctors may advise young athletes to temporarily change or stop an activity to limit stress on the body. In some cases, it might not be possible to return to the sport without risking further injury.

Because overuse injuries are characterized by swelling, a doctor may prescribe rest, medicines to ease inflammation, and physical therapy. When recovery is complete, your child’s technique or training schedule might need to be adjusted to prevent the injury from flaring up again.

There’s a reason why baseball has been called our national pastime for decades. It’s as American as hot dogs and apple pie. It’s been a summer tradition in big cities and little towns across the U.S.A. for generations. It’s a great team sport, and it’s fun.

Why Baseball Safety Is Important

Baseball is by no means a dangerous sport. But it can present a very real risk of injuries from things like wild pitches, batted balls, and collisions in the field.

At the high-school level, some pitchers can throw fastballs that reach 80-plus miles per hour, speedy enough to cause painful welts, broken bones, even concussions. Excessive pitching and improper throwing mechanics can lead to major league arm problems, and base runners and fielders frequently collide while running at top speed.

Gear Guidelines

As with all sports, wearing and using the right gear can go a long way toward preventing injuries. The amount of equipment required for baseball isn’t on par with football or hockey, but it is every bit as important. Players need to be sure they always have all the gear required by their league.

Most leagues will insist on the following:

• Batting helmets must be worn whenever a player is at bat, waiting to bat, or running the bases. Some leagues may even require pitchers to wear them. Helmets should always fit properly and be worn correctly. If the helmet has a chin strap, it should be fastened, and if the helmet has an eye shield or other faceguard, this should be in good condition, securely attached to the helmet.
• A catcher should always wear a helmet, facemask, throat guard, full-length chest protector, athletic supporter with a cup, shin guards and a catcher’s mitt whenever they are catching pitches, whether it’s in the game, in the bullpen or during warm-ups.
• Baseball spikes should have molded plastic cleats rather than metal ones. Most youth leagues don’t allow spikes with metal cleats.
• Some leagues have guidelines dictating what kind of bat a player can use. Some aluminum bats may be banned for hitting batted balls too hard. Be sure to check the league’s policy before choosing a bat.
• All players should wear athletic supporters; most, particularly pitchers and infielders, should wear protective cups. Rules regarding which players must wear cups vary from league to league.
• Additional gear that some players like includes sliding pants, which are meant to go under baseball pants to protect against scrapes and cuts; batting gloves, which can keep hands from getting sore while hitting; shin and foot guards, which are designed to protect against balls fouled straight down; and mouthguards.

Breakaway Bases

Base paths are one of the most common places injuries happen. This is especially true when players slide into a traditional stationary base, which puts a rigid obstacle in their path as they slide. Sliding into a fixed base can result in foot, ankle, and lower-leg injuries.

As a result, doctors have started recommending that leagues install breakaway bases in all of their playing fields. These bases, which snap onto grommets on an anchored rubber mat, can be dislodged when a runner slides into one, lessening the chances that a base runner will get injured. During the course of normal base-running, the base is stable and does not detach.

Before Starting the Game

Ideally, kids should get plenty of exercise before the season begins and be in the best shape possible before swinging a bat for the first time. This will not only lower the risk of injury, but it will also make them better ballplayers.

Just as with any other sport, warming up and stretching before a baseball game is very important. However, remember that in baseball, kids should pay particular attention to their throwing arm. Most will require plenty of warm-up before they can safely attempt a long, hard throw.

Different players have different preferences when it comes to warming up their arms. Some like to make short throws, while others prefer to start with long, easy tosses. Regardless of how a player chooses to warm up, the idea is to start with soft throws meant to stretch muscles and loosen up joints. As the arm warms up, the intensity of throws should be gradually increased until the player is throwing as he or she would during a game situation.

Make sure that all bats, balls, and other equipment used during warm-ups are safely put away before play begins, and always inspect the playing field for holes and debris, especially broken glass.

During Game Play

Painful collisions can and do occur in baseball. With attention focused on the ball, it’s easy to lose track of where people are. If there’s any doubt as to who should field a ball, one player should call for it as loudly as he or she can to let the others know to back away. Players should practice doing this with teammates to get used to listening for each other’s voices.

While batting, it’s important for kids to stand confidently in the batter’s box and not be afraid of the ball. That being said, baseballs are hard objects. Getting hit with a pitch hurts. Kids should know how to safely get out of the way if a pitch is headed toward them. The best way to do this is to duck and turn away from the pitcher, exposing the back and rear end to the pitch instead of the face and midsection.

On the base paths, players should practice running the bases with their heads up, looking out for other players and batted balls. They should also know how to slide correctly. Many leagues make it illegal for kids to slide headfirst, as this can lead to head injuries and facial cuts.

Excessive Pitching

Pitching, particularly for adolescent arms that are still growing, puts an enormous amount of strain on joints and tendons. Injuries to wrists, elbows, rotator cuffs, ligaments, and tendons can result from excessive pitching but can be largely avoided if players and coaches follow a few simple guidelines:

• Make sure pitchers adhere to league rules regarding the maximum number of innings they’re allowed to throw. This will generally range from four to 10 innings per week. If a kid plays for more than one team, include all innings pitched each week, not just the ones for each team.
• Most leagues follow rules regarding the number of pitches kids can throw in a game. Keep in mind that even major league pitchers have strict pitch counts to keep their arms healthy. Here are the pitch count limits recommended by U.S.A. Little League and the American Sports Medicine Institute:
  • 7-8 years old: 50 pitches a day or 75 pitches a week
  • 9-10 years old: 75 pitches a day or 100 pitches a week
  • 11-12 years old: 85 pitches a day or 115 pitches a week
  • 13-16 years old: 95 pitches a day
  • 17-18 years old: 105 pitches a day
• Pitchers under 14 should limit total pitches to less than 1,000 per season and 3,000 per year.
• All players should take at least 3 months off per year from overhead sports (i.e., sports that involve a lot of overhead arm movements like baseball or volleyball).
• If pitchers feel persistent pain in their throwing arm, they should not be allowed to pitch again until the pain goes away.

A Few Other Reminders

• Make sure a responsible adult is on hand any time a baseball game is played, whether it’s a parent, coach, or umpire. In the event someone gets seriously hurt, an adult should be around to take an injured player to the emergency room.
• Make sure first aid is readily available.
• Steroids or human growth hormones aren’t just illegal — they’re dangerous.

From the asphalt courts of Harlem to the high school gyms of Indiana, basketball is a way of life for millions of American kids and teens. It may be fun to play and great exercise, but basketball is also a contact sport, and injuries occur frequently. Also, since basketball players play year-round, indoors and out, many get repetitive stress injuries like tendonitis.

To keep your kids as safe as possible, make sure they follow these tips.

Why Basketball Safety Is Important

Fortunately, very few basketball injuries are life threatening. Some (like broken bones, concussions, and ligament tears) can be quite serious, though. And while playing through the pain can lead to serious muscle and joint problems over time.

Sprained ankles are the most common basketball injuries, but jammed or broken fingers, bruises, bloody or broken noses, and poked eyes are all too common as well. When playing outdoors, abrasions (particularly to the palms and fingers) are always a risk.

Indoor ball presents its own hazards in the form of walls and bleachers, and players are bound to collide going after loose balls and rebounds wherever they play.

Gear Guidelines

Two people, a ball, and a basketball hoop are just about everything needed for a basketball game. But this doesn’t mean that kids don’t need to pay attention to what gear to wear, especially on their feet. When taking the court, they should always be wearing:

• Basketball sneakers. The right shoe can go a long way toward reducing ankle, foot, and leg injuries. For added ankle support, some players choose to play in high-top sneakers, but low-rise shoes will suffice. All basketball shoes should have a sturdy, non-skid sole and should be the right size and securely laced at all times while playing. Kids should never play basketball in open-toed shoes, clogs, or heels (it sounds ridiculous, but it’s been known to happen).
• Athletic support. Wearing a protective cup is usually up to personal choice unless the particular league requires it, but boys will appreciate having a good athletic supporter when running down the court or jostling under the net. Girls should consider a good sports bra, and many players of both sexes choose to wear supportive athletic shorts beneath their basketball shorts.
• Mouthguard. Some youth leagues may require players to wear a mouthguard. In any case, kids should strongly consider wearing one anyway to guard against broken teeth, mouth, or tongue injuries.
• Other gear. Players who wear glasses, and many who wear contacts, will want to use protective eyewear made of shatterproof plastic. Kids with prior injuries can benefit from fitted knee, ankle, or wrist braces to support their joints while playing.

Where to Play

Since basketball can involve anywhere from two to 10 players, it can be played in small spaces as easily as giant arenas. Driveways, playgrounds, and gyms are all potential courts and present basketball players with an ever-changing variety of surfaces.

Regardless of where the game is played, players should always inspect the court beforehand and make sure it is free of debris, particularly broken glass and loose gravel. The court surface should also be free of any cracks, holes, or irregularities that could lead to sprained or twisted ankles.

For night games played outside, the court should be well lit and in a safe area. Indoor courts should have plenty of distance between the edges of the court and any walls, bleachers, or other obstacles. Basket stands and any walls near them should be well padded and properly secured. Extra equipment, like balls, gym bags, and other gear, should be stored where they won’t interfere with players going after loose balls.

Before Tip-Off

As with many sports, basketball requires running, jumping, and other athletic movements. Staying in good shape year-round will not only make kids better at these actions, it will help them reduce their risk of injury and improve stamina to allow them to play harder for longer periods of time. Make sure your kids get plenty of exercise before the season starts, and make sure they eat a healthy diet.

Kids should warm up and stretch before playing. This doesn’t mean just shooting a few hoops or dribbling with both hands. They should do some jumping jacks or run in place for a couple of minutes to warm up muscles before stretching.  Dynamic stretching uses many muscle groups in a sport specific manner and can be incorporated into a warm-up. It’s a good idea to stretch after a game or practice, too.

Kids should practice shooting, dribbling, layups, and running the court before they try to duplicate these maneuvers during a game. Knowing what to do and how to do it will make movements less awkward and less prone to injury. And naturally, a player should know the rules and how to play safely before competing against others.

During Game Play

Once the ball is put in play, things will start to move quickly on the court. Knowing where teammates and opponents are at all times will help kids avoid potentially painful collisions.

Fouls are also a very common source of injuries. Many injuries can be avoided by playing within the rules, with no shoving, tripping, or holding, and always obeying the officials.

Make sure your kids know that if they get tired during the course of a game, they should ask to come out for a breather. Also make sure they know how to stay well hydrated. Heat-related illnesses and dehydration are risks, particularly on sunny outdoor courts on hot days.

Kids who feel pain in any of joints or muscles should stop playing right away and not resume playing until the pain goes away or clearance is given by a doctor.

Finally, a player should know where the ball is at all times. This may seem obvious, but many players get hurt by being hit with the ball when they aren’t looking. Basketballs are hard enough to easily break a nose or a finger.

Excessive Play

With summer AAU programs, school and church leagues, travel teams, camps, and all-star games to choose from, lots of kids and teens spend the whole year playing basketball. This can lead to more than just burnout. Sprains and sprains, tendonitis, growth plate injuries, and stress fractures can become very painful and debilitating if untreated.

Encourage your child to always tell a coach or parent when experiencing any pain, and never ignore any tweaks, spasms, or discomfort while playing. Ignoring overuse injuries will only make them harder to recover from in the long run.

If you or your child feel that he or she is playing too much basketball, work with coaches to try a reduced or modified schedule.

A Few Other Reminders

• If it’s on-court and serious, make sure a responsible adult — be it a coach, parent, or referee — is on hand. Kids probably won’t need adult supervision for games of one-on-one or two-on-two in your driveway or a pick-up game at the playground, but full-court, five-on-five basketball is a different story.
• Make sure first-aid equipment is on hand — along with someone who knows how to use it.
• Tell kids not to chew gum, toothpicks, or have anything else in the mouth while playing basketball. They could present a risk of choking.
• Remind your kids to never fight with other players or teammates. This will not only get a kid kicked out of any sanctioned basketball game, it will also increase the likelihood of injury.

With all this in mind, kids can get out there on the court and have fun working on their skills and leading their team to victory. With a little forethought and some common sense and etiquette, they can stay safe and in the game.

With non-stop action and high-speed team play, hockey is a great sport for kids. Sometimes called “the fastest game on ice,” it’s a great way to get exercise, and with youth and adult programs throughout the country, chances are no matter what your child’s age or skill level, there is a league near you to play in.

As fun as it is, though, hockey carries a very real risk of injury. To keep your kids as safe as possible, follow these tips.

Why Hockey Safety Is Important

At its highest levels, from high school to college to the NHL, hockey allows “checking,” an action that involves a player colliding with an opposing player to stop his forward momentum. This can lead to numerous injuries from players hitting one another or colliding with the ice surface or the boards that line the rink. Even in so-called “no-check” leagues, there will always be a lot of contact. Falls are very common, and ice is just as hard as concrete to land on.

In addition, with every player carrying a stick and wearing sharpened skates, accidents are bound to occur. There’s also a good chance that sooner or later kids will get hit by the puck, which is made of hard rubber and can leave a nasty bruise if it catches them in the wrong spot. And, since hockey involves strenuous physical activity, pulled muscles and sprains are a hazard for players who don’t warm up and stretch properly.

Getting In Gear

Before kids start playing hockey, it’s very important to get them all the right equipment and make sure they know how to put it on and use it correctly. Skates and a helmet are a good place to start, but there is a lot more they’ll need to wear to keep themselves safe.

Never let your child play a game of hockey without:

• Helmet — When it comes to preventing serious injuries, this is the most important piece of equipment. Helmets should be certified by the Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC) and should include a full facemask with a protective chin cup and a chin strap. Make sure to get your kids a helmet that fits properly, and insist that they always keep the chin strap fastened and tightened to ensure that the helmet stays in place.
• Skates — As with helmets, be sure to get your kids skates that fit well. They’re going to lace them up tight, so the wrong size skates can really hurt their feet. Skates should offer plenty of ankle support and have a steel or hard plastic toe cup. It’s also important to keep skates sharp so they perform better and are less likely to get caught in ruts in the ice.
• Shoulder pads, elbow pads, knee and shin pads — These are all specific to hockey. Soccer or lacrosse equipment won’t give the protection needed. Lower leg (knee and shin) pads should have a hard plastic exterior and reach the top of your child’s skates.
• Hockey pants — Also called breezers, these should reach to the knee and offer padding in the front, rear, and sides of the upper legs and midsection.
• Gloves — Another sport-specific item, hockey gloves should allow for mobility while protecting well past the wrist.
• Athletic supporter and cup — These are incorporated into most hockey undershorts these days but can also come from other sports.
• Neck protector — Although some leagues don’t require them, neck protectors are helpful at guarding against wayward hockey sticks and skate blades.
• Mouthguard — These not only protect the teeth, but also the lips, cheeks, and tongue, and can help prevent jaw injuries.

Goalie Gear

Charged with putting their bodies between flying pucks and the goal, hockey goalies need a whole different set of equipment to keep themselves safe. Helmets, skates, neck guards and athletic protectors and cups are all different for goalies than they are for other positions.

In addition, goalies should always wear:

• Leg pads — These should always be the correct length and be thick enough to protect against even the hardest slapshot.
• Arm pads and chest protector — Arm pads should reach all the way to the wrist. Chest protectors should wrap slightly around the sides to keep a child’s entire front well armored.
• Blocker glove — This glove should allow your child’s fingers to grip the stick easily but be very thick and cover most of the forearm.
• Catcher glove — Similar to a first baseman’s glove in baseball, catcher gloves should have thick padding over the wrist and palm and should also come well up the forearm.

Before the Puck Is Dropped

Everything kids do during a hockey game will be done while they are skating, so be sure they know how to skate well before they play a game. Most rinks offer learn-to-skate classes and open skating sessions when they can practice. Kids should know how to stop, turn, and get up when they fall. It’s also helpful for them to know how to skate, stop, and turn while skating backwards.

Once you feel they’re good enough skaters and they’ve got the proper equipment and know how to use it, they’ll be ready to hit the ice. Before games, hockey players generally skate around the rink a few times to warm up. Kids should use this time to loosen their joints and stretch their muscles. Some skaters warm up and stretch before getting on the ice.

Important muscle groups to stretch before a game include:

• Hip and groin — Kids can stretch out the groin area while skating by bending knees and extending one leg out to the side.  The front of the hip can be stretched by dragging one foot behind and getting low to the ice.
• Back and torso — Shooting the puck, which your child will hopefully be doing a lot of, subjects midsections to a strenuous twisting motion that most people aren’t used to doing. Trunk twists while holding the stick in front, and toe touches can also be done while skating around the rink.
• Hamstrings — Have kids use the side boards of the rink to swing legs forward and back to help stretch hamstrings and hip flexors.

Keeping it Safe During a Game

There’s a reason why tripping, hooking, slashing, high-sticking and cross-checking bring penalties. Hockey sticks can easily go from being a piece of equipment to being a dangerous weapon. Be sure that your kids know all the rules governing the use of sticks and follow them to the letter. You wouldn’t want them to get hit by someone else’s stick, and no one wants to get hit by theirs.

Other penalties designed to keep the game safe involve roughing, boarding, and checking from behind. These all have to do with players colliding with one another. If your kids’ league allows checking, make sure they know the difference between a legal check and an illegal one, and be adamant that they never hit anyone from behind. If they play in a “no-check” league, it means just that: no checking.

As far as fighting is concerned, players in the NHL may throw off their gloves and start punching one another, but if your child does it, he or she can expect to pay a harsh penalty. Almost every youth league will kick players out of the game and suspend them for at least one more game for their first fighting penalty. They won’t just be hurting themselves; they’ll be letting their team down. Don’t allow fighting of any kind.

Also, never let your kids play a game of hockey without adult supervision. Even if they follow every safety tip, accidents can still happen. There should always be a stocked first-aid kit and a responsible adult on hand in the event of an injury or other emergency. Likewise, be sure to have their games officiated by certified referees who are familiar with the specific rules of the league.

Pond Hockey

Playing a game of hockey with friends on a frozen pond can be lots of fun, but ponds present their own unique set of safety problems. An adult should always check the ice to make sure it’s thick enough to support the weight of kids before they’re allowed play, and they should stay away from any parts of the pond or lake where it looks like the ice may be thin. Tell your kids that if a puck goes in a suspect area, they should just let it go. They can always get another puck. It’s not worth the risk of hypothermia or drowning for them to go after it.

Frozen ponds also go hand in hand with very cold temperatures. Be sure your kids wear plenty of warm clothing in addition to all their hockey gear anytime they play outdoors, and if they’re playing on a sunny day, be sure they use sunscreen on their faces. The sun’s rays reflecting off ice and snow can be very intense.

Now that you know the best ways to keep your kids safe, encourage them to get out there and hit the ice. Hockey is a great game that they’ll want to play for as long as they can. Just remember that accidents and injuries can still occur no matter how prepared they are. Make sure your kids follow these tips, though, and you can minimize their risk significantly.

Skateboarding’s popularity has soared in the last few decades, and offshoots like longboarding and mountain-boarding are becoming more common.

But skateboarding also can be an easy way for kids to get hurt, particularly if they skate in the wrong place or don’t wear protective gear. Scrapes and bruises are almost a fact of skateboarding life, and broken bones and sprains are also common.

To keep it safe while skateboarding, kids should follow these rules and safety tips.

Why Safety Is Important

It’s easy for riders to lose their balance when riding a skateboard. And every fall brings the chance of injury. Some of those injuries are severe, and skateboarders have been killed by head injuries and collisions with cars.

Kids and beginners are the most likely to get hurt. More than half of skateboard injuries happen to people under the age of 15. A third happen to those who have been skateboarding less than a week.

Experienced skaters get hurt, too. As the difficulty of tricks increases, so does the risk of injury, and things like rocks and poor riding surfaces are always a threat.

Gear Guidelines

It may seem like all that’s needed to start skateboarding is a board and an attitude — until the first wipeout. Asphalt, concrete, wood, and other common riding surfaces have one thing in common: none are soft. Helmets are a must for all skateboarders, and all beginners should use pads until they gain more experience.

Here are some of the things a rider will need to get started:

• Skateboard. Different boards do different things, and kids should have the right board for their activity. For mountain-boarding, a big board with knobby tires is best. In the park, the board should be considerably smaller. Make sure all the parts are in working order and check the board for cracks, sharp edges, damaged wheels, and loose parts before use.
• Helmet. Get a helmet that is specifically meant for skateboarding, not some other activity. Look for a sticker inside the helmet saying it meets the ASTM F1492 skateboard helmet standard. All helmets should have a strong strap and buckle, and the strap should be securely fastened and snug any time your child rides.
• Shoes. Skateboarding is tough on shoes, feet, and ankles. Make sure your child always wears closed shoes (not sandals). Spend a little extra money and get a good pair of shoes made with leather or suede. Make sure the soles are made of grippy gum rubber, not regular shoe rubber, and make sure the shoes fit properly.
• Pads. All beginners should start off with at least knee and elbow pads, which are recommended for riders of all levels. These should have a hard plastic shield and should not hinder your child’s movements. All pads should be snug without constricting circulation.
• Other Gear. Hip pads, skateboard gloves, and padded jackets and shorts are all available and are a good idea for beginners. Mouthguards are good protection against concussions and broken teeth.

Where to Ride

Where to ride may be the single most important decision skateboarders make, as far as safety is concerned. Rough riding surfaces are responsible for more than half of skateboarding injuries.

Initial skating will probably be in the driveway or a skate park. Wherever your child rides, make sure the area is free of rocks, sticks, and other objects. Teach your child to look out for potentially dangerous cracks in the surface before riding, and make sure there is no chance of an encounter with a car.

• Skate parks. Kids should obey all rules governing use of the park and learn proper park etiquette before venturing into the park’s more advanced features. Many skate parks have areas set aside for beginners. Kids should stick to this area or somewhere similarly easy when getting started.
• Empty pools. Kids who have permission to use an empty pool should get familiar with the pool’s surface before riding. If the pool has fallen into disrepair, it might be more hazard than fun.
• Trails. When mountain-boarding, riders should inspect the trail before riding, looking for hazards like fallen trees.

The greatest threat to skateboarders is cars. Falls hurt, but they are rarely fatal. Collisions with large objects, however, can kill. Kids should never ride in the street.

Before Starting

The better shape kids are in, the better they’ll be at all athletic activities, not just skateboarding. Encourage your kids to eat right and exercise regularly. They also should warm up and stretch before skating, especially their backs, legs and ankles.

Any place kids skate should be dry and cleared of anything that might interfere with the board’s wheels.

Before they start skating, teach kids to be sure it’s their turn and that no one is in the way. Collisions can happen if skaters don’t communicate. And they should never ride with someone else on their skateboard. One rider per board, period.

While Riding

Kids will fall while skateboarding. That much is a given. To minimize injury, they should follow these tips:

• Learning how to fall properly can help reduce the chances of injury. Kids should know that when they start to lose their balance, crouching down will mean they won’t have as far to fall. They also should learn to try to land on the fleshy parts of their body and roll rather than breaking a fall with their arms and hands.
• Bigger tricks and bigger features equal bigger injuries. Once kids have learned a couple of tricks, they should practice them a lot before moving on to more complicated maneuvers. They should leave the gnarly stuff to the experts until they’re experienced enough to pull it off safely.
• All riders should know and practice skateboarder etiquette. At a crowded skate park, this means waiting their turn instead of jumping blindly into the bowl. This will not only keep fights from breaking out, it will also help them avoid colliding with other skaters.

Other Rules to Discuss

Young skateboarders should:

• Pay attention to local laws and know where they can and cannot skate.
• Never hitch a ride from a bicycle, car, truck, bus, or other vehicle.
• Never take chances. That rail they want to slide may look cool, but it’s not worth knocked-out teeth. Be aware of all the consequences that could happen if things go wrong.
• Be honest about their abilities. Don’t attempt tricks that are too advanced. This may well prevent embarrassment and an injury or two. They should practice what they know until it’s mastered before moving on to something new.
• Talk to the people at the local skateboard shop where they buy gear. Not only can the staff give tips for getting the most out of the gear, they also usually know good, safe places to ride.

Skateboarding is great way for kids to have fun and feel a sense of accomplishment. There’s nothing like mastering a new trick to feel a surge of self-confidence and pride. With lots of practice and common safety sense, someday they might be the ones doing the kick-flips and spins and owning the skate park!