April is National Youth Sports Safety Month

By the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue’s Community Relations Team.
Published: April 8, 2008

Spring has arrived! And as the weather becomes nicer, individuals are spending more time outdoors enjoying a variety of outdoor activities and sports especially our youth.  And although being active is healthy for the mind, body and soul you are susceptible to injuries as well. 

According to Safe Kids USA, each year, more than 3.5 million children, in the U.S. under the age of 15 are treated for sports injuries. Older children are more prone to sports-related injuries because they are larger, faster and more competitive. This particular age group, 5 to 14, account for nearly 40 percent of all sports-related injuries treated at emergency rooms.

In team sports, the majority of injuries (62 percent) occur during practice, not games, with the extent of those injuries ranging from heat illness to traumatic head and neck injury (21 percent of all traumatic brain injuries are sports or recreation related), with cardiac disease being the number one cause of death among athletes.

To promote safety in sports participation, April has been proclaimed as National Youth Sports Safety Month, a national health event that was initiated by the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation Inc. (NYSSF) in 1993. NYSSF, a national non-profit, educational organization, is dedicated to reducing the number and severity of injuries youth sustain in sports and fitness activities.

Be a supporter and promoter of National Youth Sports Safety Month by addressing key safety issues regarding sports activities.  Ask yourself, “How safe are sporting activities for your child and the children in your community?”

• Are the coaches in your community certified in sports first aid and CPR?

• Are the coaches certified by either the national governing body of their sport, American Red Cross Sports Safety Training Program, National Youth Sports Coaches Association, American Sport Education Program or PACE?

• Are background checks done on coaches before they are hired?

• Does the coach have a written emergency plan in case of an accident, and has it been rehearsed?

• Is there a first-aid box and ice at the site of all practices and games?

• Does the coach have the players do warm-ups, stretching and cool down exercises?

• Does the coach hand out a conditioning program before signups, so the children know before they go out for a team what is to be expected of them physically?

• Does your town have a sports injury prevention course for students as part of their health education program?

• Are pre-participation physical exams required for sports activities?

• Are the facilities checked for safety on a regular basis?

• Is safety equipment available or required?

• If yes: Does it fit properly? Does it meet national standards? Is it in good condition?

• Does the team have a sports parent code of conduct?

• Does the team have a preseason meeting for parents outlining the program philosophy and safety procedures?

Additional ways you can promote youth sports safety:

1. Check your community’s sports fields and playgrounds for hazards, i.e. glass, rocks, debris, pot holes and movable soccer goals which are not secured as they may tip over when climbed on and cause injuries; and

2. Have your local professional organizations and community health organizations run an article or press release regarding National Youth Sports Safety Month in their newsletter.