Summer sports safety checklist

Parks & Recreation, August, 2004

With the summer sports season in its height, the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) has issued a safety checklist to ensure this summer's sports activities does not turn into injury-related accidents. To help volunteer coaches, parents and staff cope with an influx in participant population, NAYS has the following guidelines:

* Safety gear: To protect your children from major sports injuries such as broken bones, concussions, dislocated joints and torn ligaments, make sure they wear properly fitting protective gear when they're active. Protective gear can serve as a safety net when a child's physical or mental function isn't at full capacity. Protective gear is sport-specific, but some of the most popular summer sports require shin pads, kneepads, helmets, face masks, safety goggles and rubber cleats. For more information on safety gear recommended for a wide variety of sports, visit www.safekids.org. To avoid common ankle and knee injuries, send kids to practice with cleats that are best for their sport and are in good condition to provide adequate ankle support.

* Apply sun block: To keep kids safe while playing outdoors, apply waterproof sun block with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) rating of 15 or greater to exposed skin at least every two hours. If a child is sweating a lot or swimming, it may be necessary to reapply the sun block more frequently. Remember, SPF numbers refer to the product's ability to block out the sun's burning rays (UVB). If your child has skin that burns easily, you may need to use a sun block with a higher SPF or reapply more frequently.

* Fluids: Kids are at greater risk for dehydration and heat illness than adults when they are active in the heat. The good news is making sure kids drink enough of the right kinds of fluids before, during and after activity can easily prevent dehydration. Sweat contains more than water. To stay safe, kids need to replace the fluid and electrolytes they lose in sweat by drinking a sports drink. To make sure kids drink enough, pack a squeeze bottle and encourage kids to drink on a schedule-not just when they're thirsty. After activity, encourage kids to drink 8-12 ounces of fluid for each pound of fluid they lost through sweat.

* Enjoy the game! Following these guidelines will help kids have more fun.

"We created this advisory because so many kids show up to summer sports practice unprepared," said Fred Engh, president, CEO and founder, National Alliance For Youth Sports. "The advisory highlights the most important messages we have to communicate to parents and coaches so they can help kids play safely and have fun."