Sports Safety

The Problem

More than 38 million children play organized sports each year in the U.S. and an estimated 3.5 million injuries are sustained by youth while playing sports. Approximately two out of three sports-related injuries treated in emergency departments occurs to children. Experts say that half of all sports injuries can be prevented.

The most common types of sport-related injuries in children are sprains (mostly ankle), muscle strains, bone or growth plate injuries and heat-related illness. An estimated 2 out of 5 traumatic brain injuries among children are associated with participation in sports and recreational activities.

What We Do

Safe Kids Worldwide teaches parents, youth coaches and young athletes about the common types and causes of sports-related  injuries and emergencies and ways to avoid them. From the minor sprains and strains to the more severe cases of a concussion or heat stroke, Safe Kids Worldwide wants parents, caregivers, and youth coaches to know and practice the rules of safety on game or practice day.  

Safe Kids coalitions across the country are hosting free youth sports safety clinics for parents, coaches, and athletes, providing the most relevant information and tools to combat the most common and serve injuries in organized sports today including: overuse, dehydration/heat-related illness, concussion and injuries caused by pre-existing medical conditions.

We also advocate for youth sports safety legislation, like concussion prevention and recognition guidelines within school and extracurricular sports leagues.

The Results

We have developed many easy-to-use tools to teach and prepare families and youth sports teams about sports safety, including:

• A sports parents safety checklist.
• A parent, coach and school guide to youth sports concussions.
• A recorded Youth Sports Safety Webinar with experts talking to parents and youth coaches about sports-related injuries and emergencies, their causes and what parents can do to prevent these types of injuries.
• A national campaign, Safe Kids Worldwide Sports Safety Week, launched annually to raise public awareness about the power of prevention and preparation in youth sports.

Sports safety initiatives are sponsored by Safe Kids Worldwide founding sponsor, Johnson & Johnson. The sports and recreational safety program is managed by Lindsay Hansen.