Preventing School Injuries

March 15, 2019 — Health & Safety Tips

At Physicians Premier, your emergency room in Cibolo, TX, we are big fans of safety and health. Spring break is over, and as your little ones go back to school, we would like to share some pointers on how to prevent injuries in school.

Safety is always a team effort. Each one of us can make a conscious effort and minor changes to our daily routines to help make our schools safer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 9 million children are taken to the emergency room annually for unintentional injuries, most of which take place in school.

Let’s start by taking a look at the most common injuries that are preventable, and we’ll outline some tips on how to prevent them, and what measures to take should they happen.

Injuries at the Playground

Children can be seriously injured while playing in the playground. Tripping over equipment and falling from swings and monkey bars sends many children to the emergency room.

Preventive Measures:

To ensure that the playground equipment is age appropriate, children need to be supervised by adults while on the playground.
To prevent falls, demand that playground equipment has guardrails, and that all equipment be subjected to regular maintenance.
Make sure that the school playground has soft materials covering the ground like sand, mulch, or wood chips to help cushion the fall.
All wet surfaces should be prominently labeled.

Sports Injuries

Sports programs at school help promote teamwork and encourage children to embrace challenges. However, safety should be an integral part of every sports program.

Preventive Measures:

Keep your children hydrated at all times.
Make sure that your kids have access to proper fitting sports gear such as shoulder pads, helmets, footwear, and shin guards.
Make sure that your child gets adequate rest after a sports activity.

Depending on the severity of the injury, take your child to your nearest emergency room in Cibolo, TX. Physicians Premier cares about preventing injuries, and we have the most qualified emergency medical doctors and staff to treat you and your loved ones, 24/7.