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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Memorial Day weekend marked the unofficial start of summer, and schoolchildren soon will be taking advantage of free weekdays and warm weather to spend more time in outdoor activities. While the increased physical activity is good for them, it comes with a downside: Nearly all types of pediatric injury peak in the summer, mainly because the more kids are on the move outdoors, the more chances and ways they have to get hurt.
“We see more of certain injuries in the summer months, typically forearm and wrist fractures, due to accidents such as kids falling off rollerblades and skateboards,” observes Jeffrey Mjaanes, MD, assistant professor of pediatric and adult sports medicine and director of the Chicago Sports Concussion Clinic at Rush. “Also, there are more shoulder and elbow injuries in the spring and summer, when obviously more kids are playing baseball and softball.”
The risk of injury doesn’t mean kids should be turned into summertime couch potatoes. Instead, Mjaanes and a colleague at Rush offer the following suggestions for how to let kids keep enjoying hot fun in the summertime while also making it safer for them.
Suit up
“Wearing wrist guards when on a skateboard, roller skates and rollerblades can prevent wrist fractures,” Mjaanes advises. Knee pads can help prevent injuries to the front of the knee joint and are recommended as well.
“Of course, perhaps the most important piece of equipment is a helmet,” Mjaanes says. “Studies show that helmet can prevent up to 80 to 85 percent of head injuries, including concussions, when on wheeled sports equipment.”
“Children should always wear protective helmets when riding bicycles and scooters, and even while rollerblading and skateboarding, as they are the best prevention from head injuries,” adds Paul Casey, MD, assistant medical director of Rush’s Department of Emergency Medicine.
Keep watch
Casey notes that Rush’s emergency room sees minor pediatric injuries all year round due to everything from kids slipping on ice in the winter to falling out of bed. “In the summer, we may see more injuries related to playing outside at jungle gyms and playgrounds. While they are designed with safety in mind, I caution parents to ensure their children are supervised when they’re on play equipment to ensure they are safe,” he says.
Warm up, and ease up
“Shoulder injuries in young throwers can be quite significant. Little Leaguer’s shoulder, an injury to the growth plate at the top end of the upper arm bone (humerus), rotator cuff injuries and labral tears are unfortunately common in overhead athletes,” Mjaanes says.
“Proper warm-ups and cool downs are important. Following pitch count guidelines and stopping when there’s pain in the shoulder or elbow are imperative to help prevent throwing injuries.”
Keep cool
Heat illness is one of the most serious issues for summertime athletes of any age, Mjaanes notes. He recommends the simple, common-sense precautions of staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Water is usually fine, but a sports drink is recommended for activities that last more than 60 to 90 minutes.
Athletes, parents and especially coaches need to know that practices and games should be cancelled or postponed in extreme heat and humidity. “If the humidity is high, one can encounter dangerous conditions with the temperature even in the low 80s,” Mjaanes says, recommending that people follow the exercise precautions from the National Weather Service.
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