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July 5, 2007 -- Summer marks the observance of National Youth Sports
Week — designed to promote the values of sportsmanship, civility,
respect, health, safety, fun, and physical activity.
National Youth Sports Week is observed each year during the second
week of July to coincide with National Recreation and Parks Month
— in recognition of the fact that children are on summer recess
from school and are spending many more hours playing outdoors.
At Kimball Medical Center, the focus is on health and safety, as
a hospital sports medicine specialist notes that summer is
also known in the health care community as “trauma season,”
since preventable accidental deaths and serious injuries to children
increase dramatically.
“For your children, the lazy, hazy day s of summer means freedom
— and outdoor pleasures — but warm-weather fun also
has its hazards,” says fellowship-trained sports medicine
physician James Morales M.D., who with fellow sports medicine physician
Mark Harary, M.D., specialize in non-surgical intervention of orthopedic
injuries and joint pain. Dr. Morales offers these tips on keeping
kids safe during popular outdoor childhood activities:
In New Jersey, all riders of bikes, skateboards and in-line and
roller skates under age 17 are now legally required to wear helmets.
Fortunately, says the law has brought a steep reduction in the number
of serious head injuries sustained by bike-riding youngsters.
“Teenagers are often tempted to take risks to prove they’re
cool and to be accepted, so regular reinforcement of the importance
of helmet use is in order,” says Dr. Morales.
When purchasing a helmet, look for a sticker indicating it’s
been approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The
Web site of the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, www.helmets.org
, shows where to buy low-cost helmets.
Ideally, Dr. Morales says, a child who is an inexperienced bike
rider should wear knee and elbow pads as well as a helmet.
“And don’t forget to check periodically to make sure
brakes are working properly and there’s enough air in tires,”
he says. “Remember, too, that helmets aren’t just for
bikes — kids should wear them when using scooters, skateboards
or any other wheeled conveyance — especially all-terrain vehicles,
which are more prone to flipping over than they appear.”
Kids using three- and four-wheeled vehicles on sandy beaches are
often tempted to drive them onto the rocks, says Dr. Morales, causing
accidents that produce deep lacerations on the extremities—and
fractures on the toes, because they’re just wearing sandals.
“Parents should warn their children appropriately,”
he says.
Kids love trampolines, but things can get out of hand when
they jump together—especially kids who differ greatly in weight.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that each year,
more than 90,000 people are sent to emergency rooms with trampoline-related
injuries. About 75 percent of injuries occur when more than one
person is on the trampoline, with the person who weighs less five
times more likely to be injured.
Children younger than 6 are particularly vulnerable and should only
use trampolines that are specially designed for their age range.
“Trampolines are great fun for children, and a good form of
exercise, but accidents involving trampolines are common,”
says Dr. Morales, who notes that trampoline-related breaks accounted
for more than 10 percent of childhood fractures.
Trampoline injuries are most commonly caused when one child collides
with another while jumping, from landing improperly while jumping
or doing stunts on the trampoline or from falling or jumping off
the trampoline or on the trampoline springs or frame. Dr. Morales
advised parents who want to provide a trampoline for their child
to take note of these safety tips:
- Allow only one person on the trampoline at
a time.
- Do not attempt or allow somersaults because
landing on the head or neck can cause paralysis.
- Do not use the trampoline without shock-absorbing
pads that completely cover its springs, hooks, and frame.
- Place the trampoline away from structures,
trees and other play areas.
- No child under 6 years of age should use
a full-size trampoline. Do not use a ladder with the trampoline
because it provides unsupervised access by small children.
- Always supervise children who use a trampoline.
- Trampoline enclosures can help prevent injuries
from falls off trampolines.
For a referral to a sports medicine specialist,
call Kimball Medical Center at 888-SBHS-123 (888-724-7123).
CONTACT: Kathleen Horan
Public Relations and Marketing
732-557-3909
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