It’s the All-American way of life to let young people enjoy sports.  The lessons about teamwork, sacrifice, mutual support, developing your individual skills, being gracious in defeat and humble in victory – sports have a special way of teaching them all.

Millions of children participate in organized leagues and pick-up games across the nation, from summers on the baseball diamond to autumns on the football field to winters on the ice rink or basketball court.  But an alarming 4 million of those young people, ages 14 and under, suffer sports-related injuries each year.  This becomes especially troubling when you consider that young athletes are at an increased risk of injury because their bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments are still growing.

Parents and coaches can protect children from sports-related injuries by consistently taking these safety precautions:

• Know and follow the rules of the sport.  They are there to keep all participants safe.
• Make sure each child is in good physical condition before beginning any sport.
• Wear proper apparel and protective gear at all times.
• Know how to use the athletic equipment safely and properly.
• Make sure each participant stretches and warms up before playing.
• To prevent dehydration, have participants drink plenty of liquids before playing.
• Remove a player from the game if he or she is tired or in pain.
• Have participants cool down afterward.
• Make sure that a responsible adult is in attendance at every practice and game.

Should an injury occur, prompt treatment can help prevent further problems.  This includes RICE therapy (rest, ice, compress, and elevate).  A child may need medical attention if any of the following signs are seen:

• An inability or decreased ability to play.
• Visible deformity.
• Severe pain that prevents the use of an arm or leg.
• Symptoms that persist or affect performance.
• Headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, blurry vision, or confusion, which are symptoms of a concussion.  Helmets should be worn, but concussions can still be suffered when wearing one.

Talk with the Benefits professionals at Evergreen Insurance about this topic.  We are here to help you keep your team – and their families – properly protected.  

Copyright 2024 Evergreen Insurance, LLC

Evergreen Insurance, LLC provides these updates for information only, and does not provide legal advice.  To make decisions regarding insurance matters, please consult directly with a licensed insurance professional or firm.