National Youth Sports Safety Month: Simple Tips for Safer Play
April is National Youth Sports Safety Month, a perfect time to focus on helping kids stay safe while playing the sports they love. Whether you’re a parent on the sidelines or a coach guiding the team, knowing how to prevent injuries and respond when something goes wrong is important.
Here are simple and helpful tips to protect young athletes and make sure they stay healthy and active all season long.
1. Make Sure Kids Get a Sports Check-Up
Before joining any sports team, kids should have a physical exam. This check-up can catch any health issues early, like asthma, heart conditions, or joint problems, that could cause trouble during play. Talk to your child’s doctor and make sure they’re cleared to participate.
It’s also a good time to ask questions about how to handle any pre-existing conditions during games or practices.
2. Talk About Pain and Injuries
Kids sometimes ignore pain because they don’t want to be benched. But ignoring the signs of an injury can lead to bigger problems later. Let your child know it’s okay to speak up if something hurts.
As a parent or coach, check in with them regularly. Ask how their body feels after practice. If they mention pain that doesn’t go away, it’s time to rest and get checked by a doctor.
3. Keep Kids Hydrated
Sports and hot weather can lead to dehydration. Make sure kids drink water before, during, and after practices and games. They should take water breaks every 15 to 20 minutes, especially in the heat.
Dehydration can cause headaches, dizziness, or overheating. Encourage kids to bring their own water bottle and use it often.
4. Use the Right Protective Gear
The right gear makes a big difference. This includes helmets, pads, mouthguards, and proper shoes. The gear should fit well and be in good condition.
If something is broken, worn out, or the wrong size, it could do more harm than good. Coaches should check equipment regularly, and parents should help kids put it on properly.
5. Stretch and Warm Up
Warm-ups and cool-downs matter. Before starting any practice or game, kids should stretch and move their bodies to get their muscles ready. Light jogging, jumping jacks, and simple stretches help prevent pulled muscles and strains.
After the game, cooling down with a walk or light stretch helps the body recover.
6. Encourage Rest Days
Kids need time to rest. Playing sports every single day without a break can lead to overuse injuries like shin splints or sore knees.
At least one or two days off each week is a good idea. Rest gives muscles and joints time to heal and keeps kids from burning out.
7. Learn the Signs of Common Injuries
Sprains, strains, bruises, and concussions are common in youth sports. Learn to spot the signs:
- A twisted ankle or swelling after a fall could mean a sprain.
- If a child has trouble moving a joint or complains about pain, stop the activity.
- Headaches, dizziness, or confusion after a hit to the head may be signs of a concussion.
When in doubt, have the child sit out and get evaluated by a medical professional.
8. Create a Plan for Emergencies
Every team should have an emergency action plan. This includes knowing who to contact, where the nearest emergency room is, and what to do if a player is seriously injured.
Coaches and volunteers should be trained in basic first aid and CPR. Having a written plan makes it easier to respond quickly and calmly.
9. Keep a First Aid Kit Nearby
Accidents happen, so it’s best to be ready. A well-stocked first aid kit should be available at all practices and games. It should include bandages, cold packs, gloves, gauze, and antiseptic wipes.
Coaches and team staff should know where the kit is and how to use it. Even parents can carry a small kit in their bag, just in case.
10. Support a Safe, Positive Team Culture
Encourage a team environment where safety is just as important as winning. Kids should feel comfortable reporting pain or injuries without pressure to “tough it out.”
When parents and coaches set a good example – by staying calm, showing support, and putting health first – kids learn that it’s okay to take care of their bodies.
When to Visit the ER
Sometimes, even with all the right steps, injuries still happen. It’s important to know when it’s time to go to the emergency room.
Take your child to the ER if they experience:
- Severe pain or swelling
- Loss of movement in a joint or limb
- Signs of a concussion (confusion, vomiting, trouble walking or speaking)
- Difficulty breathing
- Heat stroke symptoms (hot skin, fainting, confusion)
Playing sports is a great way for kids to build confidence, stay active, and have fun – but sports safety should always come first. Parents and coaches play a big role in helping young athletes stay healthy, avoid injuries, and get the right care when they need it.
By being prepared, listening to kids, and knowing when to seek help, you can make sure they get the most out of their sports experience – safely.
At Physicians Premier, we provide emergency care without the long wait times you might find at large hospitals. Our board-certified ER physicians are ready to treat sports injuries and other urgent health issues – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Learn more about how we can help by visiting our Services Page.
Sources:
“Sports Physical: When, Where, Who Should Do It?” Healthy Children, https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/sports/Pages/Sports-Physical-PPE.aspx
“How to make sure your young athlete stays hydrated during sports,” CHOC, https://health.choc.org/how-to-make-sure-your-young-athlete-stays-hydrated-during-sports/
“Sports Safety Tips For Kids,” Orthopaedic Specialty Group, P.C., https://osgpc.com/sports-safety-tips-for-kids/
“Signs and Symptoms of Concussion,” CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/signs-symptoms/index.html
“Kids & Sports Injuries: What to Do If Your Young Athlete Gets Hurt,” Healthy Children, https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/sports-injuries/Pages/After-a-Sports-Injury-When-to-See-the-Doctor.aspx
