Summer Injuries: Each summer, thousands of Americans, especially children, end up in emergency rooms due to injuries from common summer activities. In 2023 alone, nearly 200,000 children under the age of 15 visited emergency rooms for injuries related to swimming, trampolines, and playgrounds, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) wants to help prevent these injuries before they happen.
“As orthopaedic surgeons, we see firsthand how quickly summer fun can turn into serious injury,” said pediatric orthopaedic surgeon Verena M. Schreiber, MD, FAAOS. “But with just a few thoughtful precautions, families can enjoy the season safely and avoid trips to the emergency room.”
To support a safe and active summer, orthopaedic experts from AAOS are sharing expert-backed tips to help families prevent injuries and keep summer fun.
1. Lawn Mower Safety: Trim the Grass, Not Your Toes
Lawn mowers can cause serious injuries if not used properly. Each year, an estimated 143,000 people end up in emergency rooms for lawn mower-related injuries, according to Consumer Reports. These simple tips can help to keep you safe:
- Always wear protective gear—gloves, goggles, long pants, and sturdy, closed-toe shoes.
- Never mow the lawn barefoot or in sandals or flip-flops.
- Keep children and pets away from the lawn mower, especially when in use.
- Children should never ride on a mower, even if it’s off.
- Remove sticks, rocks, and debris from the lawn beforehand.
- Never disable safety devices or guards.
2. Swimming Safety: Stay Alert In and Around Water
Swimming is a great way to cool off in the heat and have fun with friends and family, but it comes with risks, especially for young or inexperienced swimmers. Approximately 4,000 people die from drowning in the U.S. each year, according to the CDC. Perhaps even more alarming, drowning is the leading cause of death among children from 1-4 years old. In addition to swimming lessons to ensure your family members are adequate swimmers, here are some tips to make for a safer summer in the water:
- Never swim alone and always choose supervised areas.
- Wear a life jacket if you’re not a confident swimmer.
- Never dive into shallow water. Ensure the depth is at least twice the height from which you’re diving to avoid serious injury.
- Avoid swimming during storms, rising waters, or strong currents.
- Avoid cocktails at the pool. Alcohol and swimming don’t mix—it impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction time.
3. Trampoline and Bounce House Safety: Keep the Fun, Skip the Fractures
These high-energy activities are usually a lot of fun for kids but carry a high risk of fractures, sprains, and other musculoskeletal injuries. According to Dr. Schreiber, high-risk maneuvers such as flips can lead to head and neck injuries that can be especially severe. Dr. Schreiber suggests the following guidelines to help reduce the number and severity of trampoline injuries:
- Provide adult supervision at all times.
- Only one person should jump at a time.
- Avoid somersaults or flips without proper training and instruction.
- Keep trampolines and bounce houses on ground level to reduce fall height.
- Children under age 6 should not use full-size trampolines.
4. Playground Safety: Active Play with Adult Eyes Nearby
Playgrounds are essential for children’s development, but they are also a common site of injury—many involving broken bones, dislocations, or concussions. To reduce your child’s risk of ending up in the emergency room after a playground fall:
- Choose playgrounds with shock-absorbing surfaces like wood chips or rubber mulch.
- Avoid equipment on concrete, grass, or packed dirt.
- Ensure children wear proper footwear and have secure laces or straps.
- Active adult supervision is the most effective injury prevention measure.
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