Please visit www.cdc.gov/safechild for podcasts, tip sheets, and other information on the 

leading causes of child injury and steps you can take to protect the children you love.

Protect the ones you love

SPORTS INJURIES

Child injuries are preventable

The Reality

We all want to keep our children safe and secure and help them live to their 

full potential. Knowing how to prevent injuries from sports and recreation 

activities, one of the leading causes of child injury, is a step toward this goal.

Taking part in sports and recreation activities is an important part of a healthy, physically active 

lifestyle for kids. But injuries can, and do, occur. More than half of the 7 million sports and 

recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by youth between ages 5 and 24.

Thankfully, there are steps that parents can take to help make sure kids stay safe on the field, the 

court, or wherever they play or participate in sports and recreation activities.

Prevention Tips

Gear up. When children play active sports, make sure they use protective gear, such as helmets, 

wrist guards and knee and elbow pads—in addition to any other sports gear appropriate to their 

activity or player position. Further, during informal recreation activities children should also always 

wear helmets when recommended, especially during activities such as in-line skating and biking.

Use the right stuff. Be sure that sports protective equipment is maintained correctly and is in good 

condition—for example, without missing or broken buckles or compressed or worn padding. Poorlyfitting equipment may be uncomfortable and may not offer proper protection.

Practice makes perfect. Have children learn and practice skill sets relevant to their chosen activity. 

For example, appropriate tackling technique is important in preventing injuries in football and soccer. 

Correct biomechanics, or movement and alignment, also plays a role in preventing injuries during 

baseball, softball, and many other activities. Also, be sure to safely and slowly increase activities to 

improve physical fitness; being in good condition can protect participants from injury.

Pay attention to temperature. Allow time for child athletes to gradually adjust to hot or humid 

environments to prevent heat-related injuries or illness. Parents and coaches should pay close 

attention to make sure that players are hydrated and appropriately dressed. 

Be a good model. Communicate positive messages about safety and serve as role models for safe 

behavior, including a wearing helmet and following the rules. 
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The Burden of Child Injury, 

Unintentional Injury Deaths

Ages 1–19, United States, 2000–2005

Non-Injury

57,373

(38%)

Intentional Injury

27,222

(18%)

Unintentional Injury

67,169

(44%)

•	 Across	the	United	States,	

injuries are the leading cause of 

death among children ages 19 

and younger.

•	 About	33	children	die	every	

day because of injuries.

•	 Each	year,	nearly	9.2	million	

children aged 0 to 19 years are 

seen in emergency departments 

for injuries, and 12,175 

children die as a result of being 

injured.

CS201698-A

In addition to doing all you can to protect a child from suffering a sport

injury, follow these steps to prevent other leading causes of injuries:

Burns —Fire and scalding water can pose threats to children. To 

help keep kids safer from burns caused by fire, install and maintain smoke alarms in 

your home. 

Falls —Falls can happen at the playground or at home. To protect your child, check 

playground equipment to make sure it’s properly designed and maintained and that 

there’s a safe, soft landing surface below. 

Drownings —Drownings can happen quickly and quietly, but installing four-sided 

fences, with self-closing and self-latching gates, around backyard swimming pools ca

make a life-saving difference by keeping kids away from the water when you’re not 

there to supervise.

Poisonings —Everyday	household	products	can	be	poisonous	to	children,	but	you	

can safeguard your home. Keep medicines and toxic products, such as cleaning 

solutions, in locked or childproof cabinets.

Road traffic injuries —To make injuries less likely when you’re on the road with 

kids, always use seat belts, child safety seats, and booster seats that are appropriate 

for your child’s age and weight.

www.cdc.gov/safechild

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