Although some of us choose to relax during the summer, others pack the season with outdoor activities to take advantage of the good weather. But all that time spent in pools, on playgrounds, playing sports, and more, can also leave you with unexpected injuries.
How to keep your sunny disposition this summer? Stay injury free. Read on to learn about the 5 most common summer injuries and how to avoid them.
1.Pool-related injuries
Swimming pool accidents harm thousands of people each year. Even a brief lapse in attention can be dangerous.
Common pool-related injuries include:
- Slips and falls around/on wet surfaces – Walking or running around the pool or on the deck can cause injuries like cuts and scrapes or even fractures.
- Drowning or near-drowning incidents – Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children age 4 and under, but it can happen to anyone.
- Entrapment accidents – Swimming pool drain injuries (or deaths) occur when a swimmer’s body, hair, or clothing gets caught in the powerful suction of the drain.
Pool safety tips:
- Ensure supervision for all ages, not just kids. No one should ever swim alone, even adults.
- Invest in pool fences and covers. Pool fences and covers help keep out young children, pets, and anyone else who cannot swim independently.
- Encourage swim lessons for kids and adults. Taking lessons and improving your swimming skills can lessen your risk of pool-related injuries.
- Safety-proof your pool. To prevent entrapment, cover pool drains, disperse suction points throughout the pool and lower the power of drains. Know the location of the emergency shut off switch.
2.Trampoline accidents
From backyard trampolines to trampoline parks, the popularity of trampolines is increasing. While jumping around may be great exercise, trampolines can be dangerous. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported an estimated 100,000 trampoline-related injuries treated in emergency rooms per year.
Injuries on trampolines are caused by awkward landings or falls and collisions (with either another jumper or the trampoline frame). These injuries can range in severity and include cuts, sprains and strains, fractures and head, neck and spinal injuries.
Trampoline safety tips:
- Only one jumper at a time. Allowing only one person on the trampoline reduces the risk of collisions.
- Supervision is required. Children of all ages should have adult supervision when using a trampoline.
- No flips or stunts without training. Only people with extensive training in gymnastics, diving, or similar sports should ever attempt flips or stunts on a trampoline.
- Use safety nets and padding. These items prevent trampoline injuries by covering the springs, hooks, and frame.
3.Playground hazards
Slides and monkey bars can be a fun adventure for kids, but public playgrounds lead to a lot of injuries. In fact, each year, more than 200,000 kids end up in U.S. emergency rooms with playground injuries.
Common playground injuries include:
- Falls from equipment – Nearly 80% of playground injuries are caused by falls. These can result in a range of injuries that may require stitches or a cast.
- Burns from hot surfaces – Slides and other metal equipment can quickly burn skin on sunny summer days.
- Pinch or crush injuries – These injuries occur when fingers get caught between moving parts on playground equipment.
Playground safety tips:
- Find a “soft” playground. The ground should be covered by something relatively soft, such as mulch or rubber.
- Always supervise children. Watching while they play alerts you to the risk of injury.
- Inspect equipment for damage. Look for hazards like rusted or broken metal, splintering wood, cracks in plastic, and missing handrails.
- Teach children how to use equipment safely. Always use age-appropriate equipment as intended and look out for others.
4.Heat-related injuries
Spending too much time outside in hot and humid weather can cause heat-related injuries including heat rash, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion. Symptoms can include itchy, red bumps on your skin, painful muscle cramps and profuse sweating accompanied by weakness, dizziness, or nausea. Call 911 immediately if you are experiencing severe symptoms like confusion, slurred speech or unconsciousness.
Heat injury prevention tips:
- Move into the shade or air conditioning if you begin to experience symptoms
- Cool your skin down with damp cloths
- Hydrate often with water or electrolyte sports drinks
- Wear lightweight clothing
- Avoid being outside during peak heat hours
5.Sports-related injuries
Almost one-third of all children’s injuries occur while playing sports, and any sport has the potential for injury to both kids and adults. During the summer, biking, football, and basketball cause the most injuries.
Common sports injuries include:
- Sprains, strains, and fractures – Ligaments and bones can be stretched, torn, or broken.
- Head Injuries – Even minor collisions that occur in sports like tackle football can have long term consequences on your brain. Studies show that for every year playing tackle football, the risk of developing CTE increases by 30% and for every 2.6 years of play your risk doubles.
- Overuse injuries – Repetitive motion increases your risk of stress fractures, dislocations, shin splints, and more.
How to lessen the risk of sports injuries:
- Stretch and warm up beforehand. This will increase blood flow and keep the muscles flexible, strong and healthy.
- Stay hydrated. Dehydration makes your muscles and joints more susceptible to sprains and strains.
- Wear proper gear and protective equipment. Helmets, pads, and other gear are designed to protect you from injury depending on the sport.
- Follow coaching on safe techniques. Coaches play a crucial role in sports injury prevention.
Visit vybe for summer injuries
If you experience any of these common summer injuries or other health concerns, vybe is ready to help.
All vybe urgent care locations are open 7 days a week, with extended hours to fit your busy summer schedule. Walk into your nearest vybe or schedule an appointment today!
FIND YOUR VYBE
