School is starting, and it’s a bittersweet time for parents. We thrill to see our kids growing and learning. At the same time, it’s important to help prepare them against the risk of injury at school.
Here are the most common schoolyard hazards, and how to reduce the risk.
Slips and falls
Perennially, the most common cause of injuries and trips to the urgent care clinic is slips and falls. These can lead to sprains, strains, bruises, lacerations and in the extreme, broken bones, concussions, brain injury and even spinal injuries.
They can be caused by wet and slippery floors, debris on the floor, improperly placed extension cords, faulty sports equipment.
Assault
Bullying is, unfortunately, still a reality for many of our children. Fistfights and other violence are a distressingly common source of trips to the urgent care clinic. Parents can make a difference by pushing schools to properly supervise students and hold aggressors accountable.
School bus accidents
Fortunately, school bus accidents are rare. Less than .5 percent of road fatalities involve school buses, which says a lot about the training and attention to safety of our school bus drivers. Still, parents should pay attention to the set-up of boarding and offloading situations of school buses for their children.
Sports activities
Many sports pose inherent risk of injury to the players — think football, lacrosse and hockey. The most common injuries are, as always, sprains and strains, but broken bones and head injuries can happen.
Effective coaching and supervision can help keep injury to a minimum. But it’s also essential to ensure that sports and playground equipment is in good repair and that coaches and school staff follow basic safety practices and require the use of protective equipment such as helmets and pads.
Playground accidents
Slips and falls are the common accidents in these locations. And again, strains, sprains, head injuries, concussions and broken bones can be the result.
Faulty or poorly maintained playground equipment is a hazard that causes a great number of accidents. Parents would do well to inspect the school playground equipment, and check for loose bolts, broken beams, debris and other hazards.
Hard surfaces such as asphalt and concrete can be dangerous for younger children. Look for newer surfaces, such as those made from recycled tires, that provide a “give” for active youngsters.
Teach kids about playground safety
Education can make a huge difference, not only when it comes to academics but also playground safety. Here are some tips that parents can pass on to their children to help keep them safer:
- Wear sunscreen when playing outside, even on cloudy days
- Use equipment as it was designed: slide feet-first, don’t climb outside the guard rails or stand on swings, etc.
- Leave bikes, backpacks and bags away from the play area so no one trips
- Check equipment before using it — for instance, metal slides can get dangerously hot on a bright, sunny day
- Check to make sure no one else is in the way before using a slide or other equipment
- Land with knees flexed, and roll if you fall
- Never push others when on slides, seesaws, jungle gyms or other equipment
- Always wear a helmet when riding a bike, skateboard or scooter
- Don’t wear clothes with drawstrings, cords or hoods when playing on equipment
Be ready
It’s essential to know how to reduce the risks, but it’s also essential to be ready to go to the urgent care clinic when you need to. When in the Salt Lake City area, know where the closest urgent care clinic is located.