Keeping children physically active with sports and activities has many benefits. However, millions of youths suffer injuries related to active pursuits each year. As a parent, you want to make sure your children can participate safely by outfitting them with the proper protective gear, including the right shoes, helmets, mouth guards and prescription safety glasses.
Tips for Injury Prevention
Help your child remain injury-free with the following safety tips for youth sports.
1. Warmup and Stretch
Active children should set aside some time to warm up before their practices and games. Doing a light activity for about 5–10 minutes increases their muscle temperature, respiratory rates and heart rates to prepare their bodies for exercise.
Stretching is a crucial part of an effective warmup routine and enables adequate preparation for quick movements. Skipping the stretches may result in damages.
2. Wear Protective Equipment
Ensure your youngsters wear the appropriate protective gear during rehearsals, practices, games and performances to avoid injuries. Necessary equipment may include the following:
• Helmets
• Shin guards
• Knee pads
• Eye protection
• Mouth guards
• Cleats
3. Stay Hydrated
Prevent dehydration or other heat-related illnesses by reminding children to drink plenty of water before, during and after physical activity. If possible, your young athlete should drink fluids about 30 minutes before beginning an exercise and every 15 to 20 minutes throughout. In addition to preventing heat exhaustion, sufficient water intake also reduces muscle fatigue and the risk of subsequent strains, sprains and fractures.
4. Sit Out When Hurt
Often people try to play with injuries, but this is not a good idea. Playing while hurt can lead to more severe problems that could potentially keep youth out of the game for a much longer time. Let players know they need to be honest about any pain they experience and explain how taking the time to heal is vital to their overall health and safety.
5. Rest Your Body
Avoid overuse damages by allowing or requiring rest time. Provide participants a day or two off each week from their sport to give their bodies time to recover. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends young athletes take one month off from their sport three times per year.
Tips To Find the Right Prescription Safety Glasses
While you may instinctively grab helmets for your children's active pursuits, remember to take the necessary precautions to shield their eyes, too. Sports participation is the leading cause of youth eye injuries. The good news is most of these wounds are preventable with the proper eyewear.
1. Eye Exam
Before starting a sport, have your children's eyes checked by a doctor. If they cannot see correctly, they are more likely to sustain injuries.
2. Safety Tested Eyewear
Purchase prescription glasses specifically designed for protecting eyes from flying objects, debris, collisions and falls. Glasses and goggles should fit snugly with shatterproof and impact-resistant components top revent potential harm.
3. Features To Consider
Your child's needs may vary depending on their sport or exercise of choice. Take the time to assess which characteristics provide the best protection for your child. Some innovations to consider include:
• Plastic lenses to endure projectiles
• Wraparound frames to safeguard the entire eye area
• Adequate padding at the eyebrow and nose for contact sports
• Strong frames to withstand impact
• A secure strap to prevent glasses from flying off during activity
• Waterproof or anti-reflective goggles for swimming and other water pursuits
• Sunglasses for outdoor endeavors
Protect your child's eye health and safety by purchasing top-quality prescription safety glasses at Safety Gear Pro. Youth sports help children stay physically fit and build a strong foundation for lifelong health. Ensure your children engage in physical activities safely by taking care of their bodies with the proper methods and gear.
