Sports safety

You see the many health and social benefits sports offer whenever your child participates. However, they don’t come without risk.

From cuts, bruises and sprains to broken bones and concussions, getting hurt is part of the game. The good news is most sports injuries are preventable with the right equipment and information.

Sports injury prevention tips

It all starts with a bit of common sense and strategic preparation. When your child knows how to get ready, they’re on their way to healthy participation in all their favorite sports.

• Stretch: It's important to warm up and stretch muscles. Stretching releases muscle tension, which helps prevent injuries.
• Wear the correct gear: Sport-appropriate gear that fits properly will reduce your child's risk of injury.
• Play by the rules: Game rules are created both for fairness and safety. Have your child follow and reinforce them.
• Stay hydrated: Water is essential. Your child should be drinking water before, during and after playing a sport to avoid dehydration.
• Be mindful of temperature: Outdoor sports are always affected by the weather. Your child should take time before playing to adjust to the temperature and playing conditions. If conditions become unsafe, all players should be removed from the field of play.
• Sit out when in doubt: Sports-related injuries happen most frequently during practice or games. If your child gets an injury, he or she should sit out so it doesn't worsen.

Visit the National Center for Sports Safety and Safe Kids for more information.

Concussion awareness, prevention and care

Concussions are traumatic brain injuries caused by a blow to or jolt of the head disrupting the way the brain normally functions. When they occur, they can cause your child problems with sight, speech, memory, sleep and more.

In contact sports, always have your child properly outfitted with protective gear. Helmets, pads and so on can prevent or lessen the chance of getting a concussion.

How to spot a concussion

Concussion symptoms can vary from person to person. Some may appear right away, while others may start hours or even days later. If your child recently sustained a blow to or jolt of the head, watch for these common concussion signs:

• Headache, especially if it worsens or doesn't stop
• Dizziness
• Nausea or repeated vomiting
• Decreased coordination
• Unsteadiness or loss of balance
• Feeling dazed, stunned or seeing "stars"
• Ringing in ears
• Inability to move a part of the body
• Double vision
• Difficulty sleeping
• Slurred speech
• Unconsciousness, especially for a prolonged time
• Weakness or numbness
• Seizures
• Refusal to eat
• Inconsolable crying in infants

Remember: Your child needs prompt medical care if he or she shows any signs of a concussion.

Recovering from a concussion

Healing from a concussion means working with your doctor to give your child all the time they need to recover.

Some things you can do that to help reduce strain on your child during recovery include:

• Restricting time spent staring at a cellphone, which means no texting.
• Limiting TV time to 30 minutes or less a day, if tolerated.
• Avoiding video games and computers.
• Reducing academic activity within reason, which includes limiting reading and use of computers for assignments.
• Following a balanced sleep schedule as too much or too little may prolong recovery.

Returning to play: Your child shouldn't play sports again until a doctor or concussion specialist gives you approval. Returning to play too soon may slow healing or lead to serious complications.