Recently, we provided parents with advice that aimed to help them make sure their kids were protected from harm throughout baseball season. But we understand that baseball isn’t the only sport that student athletes are going to be taking part in over the next couple months. Between soccer, track and field, and anything else your child might play, there are a number of hazards that need to be addressed by safety conscious parents. A new report gives some valuable advice that you should consider.
Perhaps the most important step should be taken before sports activities even begin for the year: speak with a doctor. A physical might reveal any potential health issues that could crop up during the season, and you can also ask any questions that have been weighing on your mind. Schools will likely require a physical, but if they don’t, then the responsibility rests on you.
As with baseball, it’s imperative that every piece of equipment your child requires is in tip-top shape so as to protect them from serious injury. It’s been awhile since last season, and thus your child might have grown quite a bit without you even realizing it. Have your child try on all old equipment to make sure it fits correctly. If it doesn’t, then you need to invest in new gear.
The gear your child finally decides upon should be free of damage and have the parts necessary to offer protection. This is true whether you own the equipment or got it from the school. If your child is provided with a helmet or some other item that looks like it’s been put through the wringer or is missing a piece, kindly request new equipment or purchase your own model.
The field your child plays on also needs to be in great shape. It may have been quite some time since a practice field or event venue was the site of an activity, and hazards may have sprung up in the interim. The danger can be compounded when everyone thinks the field is someone else’s responsibility. A coach might assume the school district took care of safety precautions, while the school thought the opposite.
Make sure your child isn’t put in danger on the practice field or event site. Ask the coach about the condition of the field, and if assurances can’t be given, consider walking the site yourself. All it takes is a simple crack, divot, or weed to pose a tripping threat that can have drastic repercussions. Bring such hazards to the attention of the coach or groundskeeper.
Finally, make sure your child is well rested and not strained to the point where further exercise is potentially dangerous. There’s no point in being pushed so hard that the activity becomes less fun and more hazardous.