Plastics contribute to 46 percent decline in childhood unintentional injury-related death rate over last two decades
(ARA) - Each year more than 3.5 million children suffer sports- and recreation-related injuries, and sports are the most frequent cause of injury for adolescents in the United States.
But it doesn't have to be this way, according to Michelle Klein, executive director of the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, a national non-profit agency.
"It is estimated that more than half of all child sport-injuries can be prevented," says Klein, whose organization is committed to reducing the number of children who are injured while participating in sports. "While we are teaching our kids how to catch a ball or ride a bike, we should also show them how to protect themselves. It can literally save lives."
While the number of children who get hurt playing sports is alarming, advances in plastics technology mean lightweight, sturdy safety gear is available to the 30 million kids who participate in organized sports each year.
The evolution of plastic safety devices (car safety seats, seat belts, smoke detectors, personal flotation devices) is a crucial factor in the 46 percent decline in the unintentional injury-related death rate among children 14 and under during the past two decades, according to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. Unintentional injuries are the number one killer of children in this age group.
"To make the point," says Klein, "try to imagine a piece of sports safety gear that helps protect kids' lives, and is not made with some plastic. But, whether it's eye gear, mouth guards, plastic helmets or even padding, wearing gear consistently is key."
"Most sports-related injuries occur during practice, but one-third of parents say they do not often take the same safety precautions during their child's practice as in a game," Klein says. "A simple rule is if it's required for the game, it should also be required for practice."
"As for bicycles, scooters and roller blades -- remember these are not toys," says Klein. "More children are hurt on bicycles every year than in sports like football and wrestling. Teaching your children to wear proper safety equipment is simply essential."
Klein offers these tips for getting your child to gear up:
* Encourage your kids to wear the same gear every time. Whether it's practice or the game, consistency is the key to developing lifelong sports safety habits.
* Be sure everyone in the family -- especially older children -- wears sports safety gear. Kids take their cues from the people around them. * Get together with other parents in the neighborhood to encourage sports safety and maximize positive peer pressure.* Talk to your child's teachers or coaches -- as role models they can have a big influence on attitude.* Be sure the gear fits right -- if it's too big or too small it may be uncomfortable for your child and it is not as effective.* Let your children help pick their own safety gear. Items like helmets come in many colors, patterns and even styles, which allow kids to express their own sense of style.
Once the child understands the importance of safety gear, Klein says the gear must fit right to be effective. Here are some tips from the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation on the most commonly used gear -- helmets, mouth guards and protective eyewear -- to help parents keep their children safe from preventable sports injuries.
Helmets
Plastic helmets come in a variety of shapes and styles depending on the sports they were designed for. Parents should select a helmet based on what sport their child will be playing.
Most helmets have a hard crack resistant plastic outer shell, designed to spread the force of an impact over a greater area of the head and reduce friction in a slide. Soft plastic inner cushions provide proper fit while the helmet's liner is made of a stiff polystyrene plastic foam that requires a certain minimum force before it starts to crush.
Mouth Guards
Plastic mouth guards help prevent injury to the mouth, teeth, lips, cheeks and tongue. Even with a mouth guard, it is still possible for a child's tooth to be knocked out; but wearing one greatly reduces the risk. Research has also suggested that mouth guards are effective in reducing the concussion risk due to elevated jaw injury after blows to the chin. Because plastic materials are easily molded yet retain strength, most mouth guards are made of rubber or a flexible polyvinyl plastic.
Protective Eye Gear (Plastic goggles, face screens, masks, etc.)
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and National Society to Prevent Blindness, the four activities producing the most eye injuries are basketball, baseball, swimming pool sports and racket/court sports.
"There is a direct relationship between the use of a stick (hockey, lacrosse), high-speed balls (basketball, racket sports, soccer), close aggressive play (basketball) and serious eye injury," says Klein. "These sports can be made quite safe if adequate protective devices are used."
Selecting the proper protection depends on the level of risk characteristic of the sport. Parents should contact their eye care professional to select the right polycarbonate protective eye gear for their child.
