5 Outdoor Safety Tips for Parents

5 Outdoor Safety Tips for Parents

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Whether it’s the summertime cabin fever that spurs you to send your kids out of doors or the after-school energy burst, there are ample opportunities year-round for your children to clock some outdoors time. And if you remember the importance of safety, these outdoor times can be a positive, healthy experience.

Don’t forget to keep the following tips in mind before you send your kids out the door for some outside time.

Gear

When it comes to hitting the outdoors, whether it’s a nature hike, an organized bike ride or just a trip to a local park, it’s important your kids are outfitted with appropriate equipment and gear. First things first – if there’s a chance of rain and it’s going to be an extended time spent outside, make sure they’ve got waterproof clothing handy. Same goes for cold weather – make sure appropriate dress is utilized. Sickness often comes as a result of excess exposure to the elements.

If you’re stepping up your activities (i.e., skateboarding, biking, rollerblading, etc.) then you need to get used to sending them on their way with helmets, kneepads, elbow pads and the like. Johns Hopkins estimates that the No. 1 most common injury sustained on bikes, skates, scooters or skateboards is head injury – and 55 percent of children don’t wear helmets. Don’t let your kids be part of that statistic!

Plant Life

There are plenty of mantras we were all taught when we were kids (“Leaves of three, don’t bother me.”), and the sentiment still stands. When your kids are hitting the outdoors, make sure they (or you, if you’re accompanying) know how to identify harmful native plants. Poison oak and ivy can be identified by their leaves and ragweed, fairly common in the area, has a pretty distinctive look too. These types of plants can cause painful and prolonged rashes or can be packed with pollen or other allergic irritants. (Pro tip: Send a placard along with your kid with a cheat sheet on identifying harmful plant life – to pique their interest, turn it into a game!)

Wildlife

In South Dakota, we’re no strangers to bugs. But when bugs bite, they can carry and transfer a variety of potential problems on to your kids. Make sure that whether you’re accompanying your child or not, adequate insect repellant is on-hand – bite-transferred illnesses like West Nile virus and Lyme disease can have ongoing and severe effects. Additionally, long-sleeved shirts and pants are best when it comes to venturing into areas rife with bugs, such as wooded areas and near bodies of water.

Urban Outdoors

Safety isn’t restricted just to being in nature, either. If you reside in the city, there are still important outdoor precautions to take. A lot of the gear and plant life tips above still apply, as well as making sure your children have your address and phone number on them in case of getting turned around or lost and clear rules set forth on how far they’re allowed to travel and with whom. It’s best to keep your kids within eyeshot or earshot when in a high-traffic area in a city. These are basic, no-nonsense rules of thumb – but a reminder never hurts.

Injury

But what about injury? Are you able to easily identify injuries (or at the very least get in touch with someone who does)? A study from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) found that fractures (36%), contusions (20%) and lacerations (17%) were among the most common injuries sustained on playgrounds and park equipment. An additional study from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) cited climbing equipment (23%), swings (22%) and slides (17%) as the most common playground mainstays to cause injury. Make sure that you know the steps to take if a tumble occurs, and keep a good eye on your younger kids when they’re out and about at the park or playground.

And when it comes to injury your team at Orthopedic Institute has you covered – set up an appointment once injuries like broken bones occur.

5 Things About Concussions Every Parent Should Know

5 Things About Concussions Every Parent Should Know

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Most parents, especially those with active children, believe that the benefits of sports and consistent activity far outweigh the risks. School sports can teach children leadership skills, team participation and make them more engaged in school. However, parents of active children and teenagers should always be sensitive to the potential for injury, especially concussions or other traumatic brain injuries.

Read on for the top five things about concussions we believe every parent should know.

It’s not just football.

When people think about concussions, the first thing that comes to mind is often football. And while it is true that concussions occur most often in football, sports like hockey, girl’s soccer, girl’s basketball and lacrosse all follow closely behind. In fact, studies show that girls playing high school soccer suffer concussions 68 percent more often then their male counterparts. So be sure to keep an eye out for concussion symptoms in your children, no matter their gender or chosen sport.

Concussions can have varying symptoms.

Dizziness, headaches and nausea are some of the most common concussion symptoms. Some coaches or parents ask their children how they are feeling before they seek medical attention. But your child may not be able to accurately report how he or she is feeling. If your child isn’t reporting any symptoms but is moving listlessly or has problems balancing, you should talk to a medical professional.

“Mental rest” doesn’t just refer to homework.

After children are diagnosed with concussion, they are often placed on mental rest. Because concussion impacts your child’s cognitive function, engaging in activities that require a large amount of thinking or mental work may make his or her concussion symptoms worse. However, cognitive rest doesn’t just refer to school-work or exercise. It is best to stay away from large amounts of reading, computers, television, chores, social visits or trips. Your child should focus on rest, sleep and recovering.

Children should stop playing immediately after a hit to the head.

In one 2015 survey, almost 50 percent of parents and coaches said they would allow children to get right back in the game or wait out for 15 minutes and then return to play. However, doctors recommend that, after any head hit, players not return to play until after being seen by a doctor. Without the right care, concussion symptoms can last weeks or months.

There are ways to reduce the risk of concussion.

Concussion most often happens by accident, and there is nothing to be done to prevent it. However, there are ways to limit your family’s risk. For example, your family should always wear seatbelts when riding in the car. Even if only riding or playing casually around your neighborhood, your children should be wearing the proper protective gear (i.e, helmets for biking and skating).

It can be incredibly difficult to diagnose concussion without talking to a doctor first. That is why, as we move back into school sports season, we recommend that you contact a medical professional at the first sign of concussion. If you have a student athlete who has recently suffered an injury, visit our Saturday Morning Sports Clinic at Orthopedic Institute.

5 Things Kids Learn from School Sports

5 Things Kids Learn From School Sports

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Everyone knows that school sports are a great way for kids to develop physical skills, exercise, make new friends, have fun, and learn to be a team member. But there are other benefits you may not even be aware of.

Read on for the top 5 things your child can gain by participating in school sports.

Leadership Skills

As students advance through the ranks of the high school team, they learn valuable leadership skills. Senior athletes are expected to encourage younger team members and hold them accountable. They set an example and often provide advice and guidance both on and off the field. These leadership skills can serve your children well as they grow into adulthood.

Improved Academics

Some parents worry that participation in sports and other extracurriculars will detract from their child’s academic performance. In reality, the opposite has been proven to be true. Sports participation is associated with higher GPAs and lower drop-out rates than their non-athlete peers. Some studies have found that students who were active in sports like soccer or football (even skateboarding!) performed 10 percent better in core subjects.

Positive Mentors

High school athletics are filled with positive mentors, from the coaches and athletic trainers on the sidelines to the leaders on the team. Students are taught important lessons about hard work, respect and good sportsmanship. Early experiences with mentors like these help shape student athletes in positive ways for the rest of their lives.

Time Management

Practice and games do take up plenty of a student’s time, leaving less time for school work and other activities. Athletes must learn time management skills if they are to get everything finished. These time management skills can come in handy for college or full-time employment.

Build Healthy Habits That Will Last a Lifetime

Did you know that children who participate in sports are more likely to be active as adults? The benefits of consistent activity can include having stronger muscles and bones, decreasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, lowering blood pressure and a general better outlook on life.

School sports aren’t just enormously fun: they can teach your child lessons that can carry them successfully through life. If you’re looking for more support, Orthopedic Institute is proud to support high school athletes.