Every year, more than 3.5 million children under the age of fourteen are injured while playing organized sports and more than 180,000 thousand of these children are treated in emergency rooms for football-related injuries.
While the vast majority of those injuries are sprains and strains, sports and recreational activities cause 21 percent of all traumatic brain injuries in children, and as evidenced by the name, a traumatic brain injury can have lifelong implications. Worse, traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death among fatal sports injuries.
Fortunately, children are safer when they play organized team sports, and safer still when coaches and parents take the time to make sure that each child is outfitted with safety equipment. The very first line of defense for any young football player is their helmet, and parents must take the time to make sure that the helmet they select is both sturdy and properly fitted.
Before purchasing a helmet, measure your child's head one inch above his eyebrows. You can use this measurement to select the correct size for your child's helmet. Take these measurements after your child has had his seasonal haircut- manufacturers recommend maintaining the same hairstyle (preferably short) throughout a season, because changes in length and style can change the way a helmet fits.
When purchasing a helmet, look for the NOCSAE seal. NOCSAE (The National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment,) is an all-volunteer organization that has devised stringent standards for sports protective equipment. When a helmet bears the NOCSAE seal, you can be assured that the manufacturer has met or exceeded those standards, which translates to extra safety and security for your child. Though these helmets may be a little more expensive, the safety is well worth the extra expense.
Once you've selected a helmet, it's time to fit it properly. Dampen your child's hair with water before trying on the helmet- helmets get hot during the course of a game, and it needs to fit whether your child is cool and dry or hot and sweaty.
Have your child put the helmet on- the front of it should sit one inch above the eyebrow (exactly where you measured,) and when you press on the top of the helmet, your child should feel pressure on the crown of her head, and not on the brow. Most helmets come with adjustable and removable pads to help you create a perfect, custom fit. Start with as few pads as possible, then add them gradually (as necessary) until the helmet fits snugly. It may take several tries to get the pads effectively arranged, but don't give up. An improperly fitted helmet can cause damage so this step is especially important.
After you've seated the helmet, adjust the chinstrap until the cup is exactly centered on the chin, and the straps are taut and without slack. Be careful not to get it too tight, though- your child should be able to open his mouth and to breathe comfortably with the chinstrap in place. It's important to check this adjustment throughout the season (as well as the general seating fit,) because chinstraps are pliable and can stretch out with repeated use.
Finally, impress upon your young athlete that while protective gear can make a game safer, she has a responsibility to take care of herself and her fellow players. Children should never butt or ram other players with their helmeted heads, even though it might seem like a fun and relatively safe thing to do. Headbutting can cause brain trauma and neck injuries, and that's completely contrary to the point of wearing safety gear.
Though there is some small risk assumed when you enroll your child in organized sports, there are vast benefits as well. Not only will your child get much-needed exercise, he'll learn valuable teamwork skills and feel more confident among his peers. As long as you ensure the safest participation possible, the advantages can be endless, and most importantly, it's a chance for your child to have fun.
