Category: Educators

Sports are a great way for children to burn off excess energy, practice teamwork and communication skills, and stretch their limits, but any sport carries the potential for injury.

Younger children have undeveloped coordination and can have slower reaction times than adults because they are still growing. As they grow, the potential for injury increases due to the amount of force they are able to apply when participating in sports.

Following these simple rules can help reduce children sports injuries:

Use of proper sports equipment

Make sure any safety gear used is the correct size and that all sports equipment carries your country’s official standards accreditation.

Adult supervision

A qualified adult or coach with the correct training and qualifications should always supervise any sport. Be sure you can clearly see children while they are playing sports.

Proper preparation

Drinking plenty of water and warming up is important before playing any sport. Teaching children to properly warm up at a young age can help reduce sports injuries throughout their life.

Letting your child run around outside in the fresh air is great for their growth and development. Playgrounds are great fun, but it is very important to check that the area and equipment are safe for your child.

Every year, more than 220,000 kids under age 14 are treated in the hospital for playground injuries. Although minor bumps, bruises or cuts occur on playgrounds often, some other more severe injuries – broken bones, concussions, dislocations and internal organ injuries – are the most common playground injuries that require a doctor’s immediate care.

Parents and educators can make the playground safer for kids, including adult supervision, ensuring that equipment is free of potential hazards and steering children to age-appropriate play areas.

Here are a few other tips on how to prevent playground injuries.

Supervise children while playing

Kids can be fearless and often don’t know yet what their limits are. Supervise them at all times. Supervision won’t prevent all injuries, so if first aid is needed, administered it right away.

Safety of the children’s playground

Always check that playground surfaces are clean and clear of any obstructions before letting a child play.

Regarding surfaces, some things need to be considered: safer surfaces include wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel. Rubber mats made of compliant materials can also provide a safe surface to play. Rubber mats can provide the best access for people in wheelchairs.

Design and spacing of children’s playgrounds

Children’s playground equipment should be appropriate for the age of the user.

Play areas for younger children should be separated from those meant for older kids with signs to locate each area clearly. Children shouldn’t play in an area not designed for them.

Here are some things to look for when assessing children’s playground equipment:

• swings, seesaws, and other equipment with moving parts should be located in an area separate from the rest of the playground and swings should be limited to 2 per bay;
• baby 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;
• guardrails and protective barriers should be in place for elevated surfaces, including platforms and ramps;
• 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;
• look out for ‘pinch points’ on playground equipment with moving parts, anything that a child could get their limbs caught in.

Maintenance and inspection tips for a playground

• There should be no broken equipment, wooden equipment should not be cracking or splintering, and 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 or busy areas
• Surface materials on the playground should be maintained to minimize tripping hazards
• Children’s playground equipment should be made of durable materials that won’t fall apart or be damaged by the weather
• Check for objects like loose screws/bolts that stick out on equipment and could cut a child or cause clothing to become entangled
• Check for debris in sandboxes and be sure that the sand is free of bugs. Sandboxes should be covered overnight to prevent contamination from animals
• Keep the area the way you would like to find it. Pick up trash, use the equipment properly, and report any problems to the organization that is responsible for maintenance of the playground.

Teaching kids about playground safety to prevent injuries

Children’s playgrounds can be a great place for kids to socialize with their friends when supervised correctly. Follow these safety tips to ensure children you are supervising play safely and avoid injuries.

Teach children to:

• never push or play too rough when using playground equipment;
• use the equipment correctly – slide feet first, don’t climb outside guardrails, no standing on swings;
• land on both feet if they are going to jump off equipment or slide;
• playground surfaces may be slippery when wet;
• during summer, check all playground surfaces (especially metal) as they can get very hot from the sun;
• wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days, to avoid sunburn;
• avoid clothes with drawstrings or long ties as these can become trapped and can cause injuries.

Riding bikes is not only fun but also a great way for children to exercise. Bike safety is very important. 6 percent of fatal injuries and 6 percent of non-fatal injuries occur during the journey to or from school. The most common types of injuries are bruises and scrapes, followed by bone fractures involving upper extremities (36%) and lower limbs (25%), and head and neck (15%).

Here are a few tips regarding helmet basics, safe clothing, bike safety and bike maintenance.

Kids bike helmet basics to reduce head injury

The single most effective safety device available to reduce head injury – including the risk of permanent brain damage – and death from bicycling is a helmet. All of us – not just children – should wear a bike helmet when cycling, regardless of age or skill level.

• Any bike helmets made before 1999 must be replaced
• When purchasing new kid bike helmets, make sure they have the correct safety stickers attached for your country
• Picking bright or fluorescent colors that are visible to drivers and other cyclists is a great idea
• Look for a helmet that’s light, well-built and well ventilated
• Ask a bike shop for help finding a helmet that is the correct size for your child and fitted properly
• If the kids bike helmet is dropped or damaged it must be replaced

Ware safe bike clothing to reduce injuries

• Bright colors over dark colors – Fluorescent or brightly colored bike riding clothes will help kids be visible on the road
• Reflective is best – Wear something that reflects light like reflective tape or hi-vis vests
• Be breathable – Lightweight bike riding clothes will help avoid overheating
• Prevent avoidable accidents – Trousers should not be too loose fitting and all loose straps should be tied up. Anything that can get caught up in the chain while riding should be secured
• Correct footwear – Choose shoes that grip the bike’s pedals and never ride barefoot

What should I teach children about bike riding safety?

• Stop at all stop signs and obey traffic lights just as you would if you were in a car. Stop for pedestrians, stop at red lights and be especially careful at intersections and junctions.
• Always check in both directions when setting off on your bike, regardless of where you are.
• Never ride against traffic.
• Don’t cycle too closely to parked cars – doors can open suddenly and cause injury.
• Use bike lanes or designated bike routes if you can – not the sidewalk or path!
• Avoid riding in the dark if you can help it, as people won’t be able to see you. If you have to, make sure you are wearing reflective bike clothing and a light.
• Be sure to walk a bike across busy roads using the crossings and follow traffic signals.
• Always ride single file on the street when in a group – this helps cars pass safely.
• Never share the seat with a friend or ride on the handlebars – this is not safe at all!
• Never wear headphones while cycling – you need to hear what’s going on around you at all times.
• Never stand up while riding your bike.

Always use the correct hand signal and look behind you before changing lanes:

Left turn: hold your left arm straight out from your side and ride forward slowly

Stop: bend your elbow, pointing your arm downward in an upside down “L” shape and
come to a stop

Right turn: hold your right arm straight out from your side and ride forward slowly.

How to maintain a bike:

Be sure to always check:

• Brakes – check for worn out cables and pads and replace them
• Chain – keep your chain grime free and be sure to lubricate it regularly to avoid rust
• Handlebars – adjust for height of children to prevent accidents or injuries
• Seat – keep the seat level and adjust the height as needed, making sure that the child can reach the pedals comfortably when sitting
• Tires – check the correct pressure on the side of the tire before setting off. If it is too low it can be too difficult to ride; moreover, it can cause damage to the bike wheels
• Bike bell – check if it works correctly