By Samuetta Hill Drew
Well balls have been kicked and volleyed, instruments have been played, cheers have been cheered, races have been run, dance routines have been danced and the scoreboards have tallied the final wins and losses for the opening fall school activity season. So, in this final segment of this two-part series, lets dig a little deeper into the safety tips parents and/or legal guardians should follow to keep their child safe while participating in these various fall extra-curricular activities.
All equipment should be checked regularly, if not daily especially strength and conditioning equipment to ensure it is working properly. These safety checks range from the field goals, workout equipment to field turf. It is important the playing and/or practice natural grass fields are free from small or large ant mounds as well as holes in the grounds. There should be a metal detector scanner for artificial turf fields to scan the field for any type of metal object large or small which could possibly result in some form of injury. Note it will not detect all debris. Therefore, the good old “eye ball” check still works! There should not be any debris of any sort on the fields whether artificial or not for players or the marching band members to get injured. Rocks with sharp edges, broken glass, unintentional dropped pens and pencils while students walked on the field, etc. are all hazardous materials which could result in serious injuries. Band members look up while marching and could easily trip or fall if there is some tripping object on the field or parade route. You would think all coaching staffs conduct these checks routinely but, unfortunately this is not always the case.
Make sure your child wears the proper safety gear and ensure the gear fits properly. The gear should not be worn out. Children are still growing so it is not uncommon for safety gear not to fit from one to the next. It is very important the right type of concussion safety helmet is worn always. Running shoes should be replaced when they become too worn. A good rule to follow is running shoes should be replaced every 300 to 500 miles.
The fall temperatures in our region still range in the upper 80s-90s degrees. It is important all students begin their practice or game fully hydrated with water or a sport drink. If your child urine is a pale yellow or clear, he/she is fully hydrated. Limit fluids like soft drinks because of their high sugar contents. It is equally as important for students to know warning signs and the effects of heat-related illnesses. If anyone is experiencing these symptoms they should report it to their coach or athletic trainer immediately.
All fall extra-curricular activities are rigorous. So, your child needs to be at their best physically making nutrition vital to their success and overall health. Prepare and serve your child fresh, whole foods and snacks. Fresh fruits like apples, oranges, grapes, etc. are good. Whole grains like brown rice, lean meats and fish are great choices. Avoid fast foods and pre-packaged snacks like chips and cookies along with energy drinks.
Finally, to Keep an Eye on Safety for your child you need to know the travel protocols. This includes all school personnel and/or individuals traveling with the team and any lodging arrangements. You want to ensure your child has a wonderful experience throughout their participation in any of these worthwhile extra-curricular fall activities, but their safety is paramount!
