Kids and Summer: Preventing Injuries

Alaska’s midnight summer sun allows extra hours of playtime for kids of all ages. The odds of injury increase with every hour of activity. Fortunately, many injuries are entirely preventable.

Properly worn bicycle helmets can save lives by reducing the risk of head injury and death by up to 85 percent when a child has a biking accident. No child should be allowed to ride a bicycle, tricycle, scooter, or be in a bicycle carrier without a helmet on. Many states have laws mandating helmet use. The bicycle helmet should cover the top of the forehead, fit snugly, and have the chin strap fastened. If the helmet moves from side-to-side or front-to-back, adjust the fit to protect your child.

Skateboarding and rollerblading, or in-line skating, are two dangerously fun activities. In addition to helmets, recommended gear includes wrist guards; elbow, hip, and knee pads; gloves; and nonslip shoes. These items will go a long way in minimizing injury when falls occur.

Activities with dirt bikes, four-wheelers, and other motorized vehicles are seeing younger participants every year. Helmet use, goggles, protective clothing, and gloves along with operator safety training can prevent injury and death.

Lawn darts have been banned – this is a case where the best safety practice is not to allow your child to participate at all.

Baseball, on the other hand, is enjoyed by nearly 20 million American children each year, inclusive of tee-ball and softball. New safety equipment can prevent, reduce, and lessen the severity of baseball injuries. Soft-core balls can reduce impact injuries to the head and neck. Batting helmets with face guards minimize facial injuries. Safety release bases decrease sliding injuries.

In 1999, there were nearly 60,000 emergency visits attributed to trampoline injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, with 15% of injuries involving children under 6. CPSC’s recommendations include using net enclosures, keeping ladders away, providing adult supervision, using padding that covers all springs, hooks, and the frame; allowing only one person at a time, and not allowing somersaults.

Remember to have fun with your kids. Adult supervision is a very effective and often overlooked way to keep your kids safe.

Information from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission was used in this article. Additional information can be accessed through their web site at http://www.cpsc.gov.