What Risks Could Your Future Star Athlete Face?

As all eyes turn to Rio de Janeiro, the National Safety Council encourages parents to create a data-driven injury prevention plan for active kids

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National Safety Council

Aug 01, 2016, 03:56 ET

ITASCA, Ill., Aug. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Children across the world will watch world-class athletes in Rio de Janeiro for the next few weeks, and start dreaming of athletic glory. Before embarking on that journey, the National Safety Council encourages parents to look at the data, because it can help them develop an injury prevention strategy so those dreams become reality.

The mission of the National Safety Council is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. (PRNewsFoto/National Safety Council)

According to NSC analysis of injury dataⁱ, children ages 14 and younger comprise the age group with the highest percentage of serious injuriesⁱⁱ in gymnastics, soccerⁱⁱⁱ and swimming^iv and diving – sports that routinely have high viewership ratings.

"World-class athletes are a testament to what we can accomplish when we work hard and dream big," said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. "Many of us learn life-long teamwork and leadership skills from playing sports. Being mindful of safety can ensure big dreams are not dashed by preventable injuries."

More than 107,490 children are seriously injured each year playing soccer, and swimming and diving account for 93,177 injuries. More than 26,800 children are seriously injured in gymnastics-related incidents. Basketball has the highest number of serious injuries each year for all age groups, with 181,417 injuries involving children.

The National Safety Council recommends parents consider the following as they think about sports injury prevention:

Make sure their children have regular sports physicals
Understand the signs of a concussion and learn how to prevent them
Prepare for an emergency by taking a First Aid and CPR class
Check facilities for any potential safety hazards such as broken equipment or uneven surfaces
Keep children hydrated

About the National Safety Council
Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety Council, nsc.org, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact – distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety, prescription drug overdoses and Safe Communities.

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ⁱ NSC analysis of data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Data is published in NSC Injury Facts 2016.
ⁱⁱNSC defines "serious injuries" as those requiring hospital emergency room treatment
ⁱⁱⁱ Referred to as "football" in Rio de Janeiro
^iv Includes injuries associated with swimming, swimming pools, diving or diving boards and swimming pool equipment

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SOURCE National Safety Council