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Protect Your Child from Sports Injuries

Kids love activities, it’s part of their development. Encouraging you child to get involved in sports will help boost their confidence and physical strength. Sadly, there are times that your child will get hurt or get injured, it’s all part of the game, but there are things that you can do to prevent this from happening.

Below are some tips on how to protect your child from sports injuries.

1.       Use Protective Equipment. These equipment will prevent your child from getting hurt or suffering from serious injury. It is very important to always wear protective gear, the type depends on the sport your child plays. Some of the common ones are gloves, helmets, goggles, mouth guards, shin guards, etc.  Feet and ankles are particularly susceptible to injury in sports that involve a lot of running and jumping. Another reason for foot injuries in children is wearing the wrong shoes. Have your child checked for flat feet, high arches, or other foot problems.

2.       Warm Up and Stretching Exercises. It is not advisable to let your child go straight into a field and play. It is best to do some warm-up and stretching exercises first to loosen up stiff muscles, ligaments and tendons.

3.       Inspect the Playing Field. Before letting your child play around the field, make sure to inspect the surface area for uneven ground, holes or rocks that could cause a trip or fall and advising your child which areas to avoid.  This is the number one cause of foot sprains or strains.

4.       Hydrate. Make sure to bring plenty of water during your child’s activities, encourage frequent drinking to prevent dehydration.

5.       Learn the Rules. Study and follow the safety rules for your child’s particular sport. Every sport has a specific set of rules regarding safety.

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