Make Safety of Young Athletes a Priority Children face a number of potential hazards as they suit up for youth sports, but many can be avoided with help from attentive parents. April is National Youth Sports Safety Month, and experts want parents to be aware of the ways they can help protect children from harm. Children involved in sports are exposed to the many positive benefits. Namely, making new friends, learning the importance of fair play, being a good sport, and learning about camaraderie. However, children can be more susceptible to sports injuries and their activities should be approached in a smart and sensible way to prevent them. More than 30 million children participate in sports in the United States every year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Of that total, more than 3.5 million of them age 14 and under are treated for sports-related injuries each year. High school athletes account for an additional 2 million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits, and 30,000 hospitalizations annually, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). read more... |