Hospital for Children

Parent Education - Caring for Kids

Play It Safe When Exercising

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Each year, hundreds of thousands of people, including many children, are hurt participating in sports activities. Sprains, fractures, contusions and abrasions are some of more common types of injuries.

It is very important to wear protective gear when riding a bike or scooter, skateboarding, or inline skating. There are wrist guards, elbow pads and kneepads -- and the most important safety gear of all is the helmet.

Here's the advice of the National Safe Kids Campaign for parents concerning helmets:

Don't negotiate. It's estimated that 75 percent of bicycle-related deaths among children could be prevented with a bicycle helmet.
Buy a helmet that meets or exceeds current safety standards developed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Correct fit is essential. Helmets should be comfortable and snug, but not too tight. They shouldn't rock back and forth or side to side.
Make sure your child wears her helmet correctly -- centered on top of her head and always with the straps buckled. Children who wear their helmets tipped back have a 52 percent greater risk of head injury than those who wear their helmets properly.
If your child is reluctant to wear her helmet, try letting her choose her own. Helmets come in many colors and styles -- allowing children to choose a helmet that's "cool" may make them less likely to take it off when you're not around.
Talk to other parents and encourage them to have their kids wear helmets. Let your children see that you wear a helmet, too. Children are more likely to wear helmets when riding with others who wear them.

For more information about child safety, log onto the National Safe Kids Campaign website at www.safekids.org.

This page was last updated on: May 16, 2007.

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1-800-492-5538 (patients) or 1-800-373-4111 (physicians).

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