Safety should be the number-one concern when you’re performing physical exercises with kids.
If you’re wondering how to keep your kids safe while playing and doing exercises, including team sports such as soccer and basketball, and extreme sports as kickboxing, forkids.com will introduce a few safety tips that’ll work for any game or activity below.
We’ll also let you know about the necessary safety equipment that’s needed for various types of sports.
Safety comes first: 6 basic tips
1. Clean the play area
Be sure that the play area is free of electrical cords, sharp objects or anything else that could harm the children.
2. Use appropriate equipment
If any fitness equipment is needed for your activities, be sure that it’s age-appropriate and that the children know how to use each piece correctly before starting.
3. Practice good hydration
Keep the children hydrated, even in cooler temperatures.
4. Wear suitable clothes
Make sure the children are wearing clothing that’s appropriate for the weather and temperature, especially if you’re outdoors.
5. Use sunscreen
Don’t forget to apply (and reapply) sunscreen if you’re going to participate in outdoor activities.
6. Enlist adult supervision
Ensure that the children are supervised by responsible adults during any activity.
Safety equipment for specific sports and exercises for kids
Some safety issues apply to specific sports and activities.
For instance, a helmet, mouth guards, body pads and eye gear may be needed for particular sports.
1. Helmet
Helmets are needed for sports such as baseball, football, softball, biking, snow sports and rollerblading. Your kids must always wear the correct helmet for the sport they’re playing.
The helmet should have a sticker from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which designates that it’s safe to wear for a particular activity, such as biking.
2. Body pads
Elbow, knee and wrist pads should be worn when a child is skateboarding, snowboarding, skating or playing ice hockey, to help prevent broken bones.
3. Mouth Guards
If children are playing a sport in which there’s a chance of them getting hit in the head—especially the face—they need to obtain and use mouth guards. You can get mouth guards for kids from a dentist or a sporting goods store.
4. Eye Protection
Special eye protection may be needed for sports such as ice hockey, lacrosse and racquetball.
Regardless of the sport, make sure any goggles and face masks a child uses fits snugly against the face.
Exercise for kids is an essential part of life if you’re a parent or caregiver, but you must take these basic precautions outlined above to minimize the incidence of injuries.