Playing outdoor games and sports is fun--and it's good for your child!   Playing outdoors gives kids the chance to build their muscles, and develop their physical coordination. Playing sports teaches self-discipline and cooperation. While they are having fun, children learn how to focus and concentrate. The biggest pay off is in the self-esteem and confidence department. Of course, all that running around can also lead to scrapes, bumps, and bruises.   So here are some simple things you can do to keep kids safe.

Growing bones, muscles, ligaments are weaker and more open to injury. It's easy to reduce the risk and severity of sports-related injuries:

1. Never push a child to play a sport. Let the child's interest lead you. Playing a sport has to fun for the child. Having fun is the #1 reason to participate in any sport.
2. Sports should be played in a safe environment - e.g., a fairly clear field, secured goals that won't fall over, etc. - and with a trusted adult nearby.
3. Use properly-sized, safety-tested, and well-fitting protective gear appropriate for the sport. Helmets are the most common protective gear. Children need to wear them when playing team sports, biking, skateboarding, sledding, and skating, just to name a few! However, helmets must never be worn on the playground or when climbing trees. They can get caught in equipment and strangle a child.
4. Have children dress in light layers of clothing. They can add or remove layers depending on temperature, and light layers are less bulky and offer freedom of movement.
5. Always have children use sun block when playing outside even in winter. Sun, reflecting off of snow, causes sun burns.
6. For group or team-like sports, group children according to weight, size, and skill rather than age. Children who are small for their age often try to perform beyond their capacity to keep up with larger and stronger peers. This can result in unnecessary injury.
7. Never push a child to continue playing who is injured, tired, or not feeling well. This is common sense.

While They Play

Be sure to stick around and watch your child play. Parents love to encourage their children, but be careful not to interfere. Yelling instructions from the sidelines is distracting to the children, and annoying to other adults. Practice restraint and good manners. Let children have fun and show off what they can do. Relax! You'll have more fun, too!

Be there to be sure the children are using equipment properly. Be on the lookout for unsafe behavior--that includes unsportsmanlike behavior, too. And, if a child gets injured, you'll be there to help the child and administer first-aid on the spot.

After Play

Make sure your children wash their hands with soap and water after playing outside. Washing hands removes dirt, chemicals, and germs.

The #1 priority for sports and exercise is to have fun!

To stay safe while having fun, children need to learn sports common sense. Here are some tips for children:

• Warm up!   Before you play a sport, loosen up your muscles with some stretching exercises.
• Wear the right kinds of clothes and gear to keep you safe (e.g., pads, helmet). Take off your helmet on the playground and when climbing trees.
• Be a good sport!   Follow the rules, and be careful of the people around you (e.g., don't push or swing bats when others are nearby).   That way, everyone can stay safe and have fun.
• Do not play if you're not feeling well, are tired, or get injured.
• Watch out for others who are playing, too. Talk and listen to others when you play. This way you avoid running into or falling on each other.
• Know the rules of the game. Know what you can and can't do in a sport or a game. This way you and the other players will know what to expect.

• The Safer Child site has some good links relating to sports and recreation safety, including information on equestrian safety, camping, and winter sports safety. Here's the site: http://www.saferchild.org/sports.htm
• The National Youth Sports Safety Foundation is an educational organization dedicated to reducing kids' sports and fitness injuries. Find the information you need on the site: http://www.nyssf.org/welcome.html

Most sports injuries are minor bumps, cuts, and scrapes. A hug and a kiss are sometimes the only first aid needed for these kinds of injuries. Still, it is good advice to:

Learn First Aid and how to do CPR.

Carry a small supply of antiseptic and bandages.

Use common sense at all times.

Always stay calm.

Carry a small sports first aid kit:

• Band-Aids or other adhesive bandages
• Fast-acting ice pack
• Ace bandage
• Antiseptic

RICE is a way to remember how to treat a sports injury.

• R est the body part that is hurt
• I ce it where it hurts to ease the pain
• C ompress the hurt part with a bandage wrap.
• E levate the injured part on a pillow