13 Apr Youth Sports and Acitivies Safety
Summer is filled with active young ones flitting from one place to another, like hummingbirds from flower to flower. From swimming to skateboarding to baseball and more, youth sports are a common stance during the summer months. So how can we, as parents and guardians, protect our little hummingbirds from becoming injured or worse during their play sessions?
We have discussed youth sports safety before regarding cheerleading and sports injuries. Summertime activities can often lead to more injuries (and more dangerous injuries) than those during school regulated sports. Here are some of our top tips for summertime activities.
Swimming:
We live in Mississippi. Swimming in a necessity in this Southern heat. But safety always has to come first, especially when it comes to the kiddos.
-Always supervise children when they are swimming.
-Avoid diving head first.
-Swim with a partner.
-Always swim during the day. If you swim at night, be sure it is a very well-lit pool.
Water Skiing:
Talk about fun. We love water skiing, but it presents its own set of safety dangers. Did you know an improperly used towline could cut like a knife? You have to be cautious with this activity.
-Always be aware of your surrounding as a driver and a skier.
-Teach children to look for submerged objects while skiing.
-Check towlines for strength.
-Always wear life jackets.
-Ski during the day only.
Skateboarding, Biking, Rollerblading:
All of these activities are fun and great for your body, but they all need a fair amount of safety gear.
-Always wear proper safety gear, including helmets, elbow pads, knee pads, etc.
-Wear good shoes. Flip flops are not good shoes.
-Supervise your children.
-Remind your children to not attempt tricks that are too advanced for them. Is it really worth knocking out your teeth?
General Outdoor Safety:
Oh, summer. The time of outdoor bliss. Excluding the mosquitoes. Always be prepared when venturing out.
-Drink lots of water before, during and after outdoor activities.
-If your child hasn’t had a physical exam, schedule one just to be safe.
-Stretch! Before your child exerts an amount of energy that is completely baffling to you, have them do a few fun stretches. You can also have them do jumping jacks to warm their muscles.
-Learn CPR and first aid. You never know when this could save a life.
-Bug spray. It’s necessary.
We hope you have an exciting summer! What is your favorite summer sport? Do you have any summer family traditions? Share them with us in the comments.
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