Youth Sports Safety Month: Protecting Your Child Against Personal Injuries

Youth sports provide a way for children to learn about teamwork and good sportsmanship while ensuring they get the level of physical activity they need. However, it is important for parents to make sure safety is a top priority. Organized sports and recreational activities are one of the leading causes of personal injuries among young people. Find out what you can do to reduce your child’s risks.

Raising Awareness of Youth Sports Injuries

April is designated as Youth Sports Safety Month and aims at raising awareness regarding how personal injuries involving young athletes can happen and the ways parents, sports program administrators, coaches, and sports or activity staff can help to reduce the risks.

Sports are fun and can be a positive learning experience for your child, but they can also make them vulnerable to injuries that can impact their health, both now and for years to come. Playing football, soccer, baseball, volleyball, gymnastics, track or being a part of a swim team are among the most common activities that have the potential for causing harm. Common types of sports injuries children are likely to suffer include:

• Broken bones;
• Deep cuts and lacerations;
• Crushing injuries;
• Heat stroke and heat exhaustion;
• Muscle and tendon sprains, strains, or tears;
• Overuse and repetitive stress injuries;
• Spinal cord injuries;
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) resulting from concussions.

Protecting Your Child Against Youth Sports Injuries

According to Stanford Children’s Health, more than 3.5 million children engage in some type of sports or organized recreational program. Of these, nearly a third end up visiting hospital emergency rooms each year as a result of sports-related injuries. As a parent, it is important to take an active role in whatever activity your child is engaged in and to not simply assume coaches or other staff will take the steps needed to protect them. Actions you can take to reduce your child’s risks:

• Check the credentials of coaches and other sports staff;
• Check the surface on which your child will be playing to ensure it provides appropriate support and/or cushioning;
• Make sure they have all the appropriate safety equipment, such as helmets and pads;
• Inquire as to what kind of training is provided and what warm-up activities are used to get children ready for play;
• Make sure they are shielded from direct sun, have plenty of water on hand, and get frequent breaks;
• Inquire about policies regarding benching injured players and handling emergencies;
• Make sure coaches and staff have your emergency contact information and request they call you immediately if accidents or injuries happen.

Contact Us Today for Help

Youth sports directors, coaches, and supporting staff have a duty to protect young players. When they fail to do so and personal injuries happen, Bundza & Rodriguez, P.A. helps you hold them accountable. To protect your rights in filing a claim, reach out and call or contact our Daytona Beach personal attorneys online and request a consultation today.

Resource:

stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=sports-injury-statistics-90-P02787

stopsportsinjuries.org/STOP/Blog/Sports_Safety_Month.aspx

https://www.daytonalawyers.com/drug-and-alcohol-use-often-fuels-juvenile-crimes-in-daytona-beach/