Spring Sports Safety Tips
Now that spring has arrived and the weather is getting warmer, outdoor sports have resumed. It's important to keep a few safety tips in mind while kids are participating in these sports:
Soccer:
Goals - Make sure goals are secured. Last year one of my friend's children was injured when a goal toppled over on him. Luckily, he was not seriously injured, but here in Illinois, there is a law stating movable goal posts must be properly secured. However, as you can tell, this is not always followed. If your child plays soccer, check goals before he or she participates to make sure everything is fastened down.
Gear - Check your child's shoes at the beginning of the season to make sure they fit properly. Too loose or too tight can lead to ankle injuries. Also, make sure socks and shinguards fit properly together to help prevent lower leg injuries. And since teeth shift around when kids are younger, make sure to get new mouth guards at the beginning of each season. Especially important if your kids have a handful of permanent teeth.
The Field - Make sure the field is clean. In colder climates when fields are not used for several months, holes and other debris like broken glass may be present. It's important to take a walk around and make sure it's cleaned up to avoid injuries. This is also a good tip for the sideline area where younger siblings may be watching.
Extra Snacks and Water - Just like when you start a new exercise program, you burn more calories requiring more water and food. Kids may have been cooped up inside during the winter or participated in activities more sedentary. Soccer burns a lot of calories so make sure to provide kids with extra fuel before and after games and practices.
Softball/Baseball: Each year, more than 100,000 children ages 5 to 14 are treated in hospital emergency rooms for baseball or softball related injuries according to Oregon Health and Science University. Help keep your kids safe with these tips:
Equipment - Make sure your children are outfitted with the correct equipment like batting helmets, catcher’s gear, athletic supporters and protective eye wear for children with glasses or contacts. Also, check to make sure this equipment fits properly each year they play. Make sure their shoes or cleats fit snugly so there is no slipping and causing potential ankle injures.
Technique: Like most sports, learning the proper way to perform tasks in the sport can help prevent injuries. Make sure your child is playing with kids of similar skill level and the coach is teaching proper ways to catch and throw to prevent sprains.
Sunscreen: Baseball and softball games can run long especially for younger kids. Applying sunscreen often and using one that is sweat proof will help prevent sunburn on hot days.
Spectators: Make sure younger siblings are well behind home plate or further back on each side. Stray fowl balls could come over home base and injure spectators. Kids can also accidentally throw bats after running to first base.
Thunderstorms: Make sure someone is on the lookout for lighting and immediately pulls kids from the field. Several batting cages are metal and with a flat field, ideal conditions for lighting strikes.
Do you have other safety tips you recommend for spring sports? Please comment below and add your thoughts.
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