Media contact: Anna Jones
From trampoline safety to ATV injury prevention, UAB experts are sharing their top tips for maintaining awareness and taking preventative measures to ensure summer break safety.Summer is here. And while summer is an exciting time for children to have fun, activities should be carefully monitored to prevent common injuries children may face. Kevin Williams, M.D., assistant professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and at Children's of Alabama, is sharing some of his top tips for maintaining awareness and taking preventative measures to ensure summer safety.
Trampoline safety
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeries, there were more than 300,000 medically treated trampoline injuries in 2018 — this includes more than 110,000 visits to the emergency room to treat injuries to the legs and arms. More than 90% of trampoline injuries are sustained by children, and more than 75% of injuries occur when two or more children are jumping at the same time.
Other causes of trampoline injuries include falling on the trampoline matt, springs or frame; falling off the trampoline; and by doing risky tricks such as flips.
“When using a trampoline, prioritizing safety is paramount,” said Williams, a physician at UAB Orthopaedics. “This includes setting up the trampoline appropriately by putting it in a safe location, providing adequate padding and ensuring adult supervision and instruction to ensure jumpers are following safety measures at all times.”
Additionally, Williams wants to remind people that only one person older than 5 years should jump on the trampoline at a time. Never permit children to play on a wet trampoline.
Playground safety
According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 206,700 injuries that occur on playgrounds each year involve children under age 16. The most common playground injuries that require medical care include broken bones, sprains, strains, internal organ injuries, dislocations and concussions.
Falls from monkey bars and other climbing objects – sometimes onto an outstretched hand – can result in falls leading to wrist, forearm or elbow injuries.
“Some of the most common injuries we treat are wrist and forearm injuries, often therapeutically, and elbow injuries, often treated surgically,” Williams said.
Close adult supervision can help prevent or minimize playground injuries. Adults should show children how to properly use the equipment and ensure they are using equipment the way it is intended. Additionally, experts recommend these precautions:
- Ensure children are playing on age-appropriate equipment and carefully designed playground layouts to help prevent injuries.
- Look for playgrounds with wood chips, mulch or shredded rubber for play equipment up to 7 feet high.
- Avoid overcrowded play areas and unprotected elevated areas.
- Watch for head entrapment areas and equipment with sharp points and edges.
- Ensure children’s shoelaces are tied and shoe straps are fastened.
Motorized vehicle safety
“ATV’s, lawnmowers, golf carts and really any motorized vehicles often are responsible for some of the worst pediatric injuries we see – sometimes life-changing injuries,” Williams said.
Williams says it is important to follow public and manufacturer recommendations for supervision when using these vehicles and to prevent use by children under the recommended age, often 14 years. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also recommends that children wear the appropriate protection gear including helmets, gloves, eye protection, boots, long pants and long-sleeved shirts.