Lots of kids think that playing sports is fun, and many sports give you a
chance to be with your friends. Sports are also a good way to exercise and stay
healthy and fit.
But did you know that there's a lot more to sports than just playing games?
To make sure you can enjoy sports for a long time, you need to take care of
yourself. And that means you need to play it safe. Read on to find out how.
Why Is It Important to Be Safe?
The biggest
reason to be safe when you play is because it helps prevent injuries to you and
to other players. This makes the game more fun, too. After all, if you're afraid
of getting hurt, you might not play as hard or as well.
There are lots of ways to be safe when you play sports. You can wear
protective gear, use equipment properly, warm up your muscles, follow the rules
of the game, and more.
Protective Gear
Protective gear
is anything you wear that helps keep you from getting hurt. The gear
you wear depends on the sport you play. Below is a list of some important kinds
of protective gear.
Helmets are the best way to protect your head while you
play. They are important for lots of sports - football, hockey, baseball,
softball, biking, skateboarding, and in-line skating, just to name a few! Here
are some tips about helmets:
- Always wear a helmet that is made especially for the sport you're playing
- football helmets can't do double duty as bike helmets!
- When picking a bike helmet,
look for a sticker that says the helmet meets the safety standard set by the
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC); the sticker will be inside the
helmet. (The CPSC is a part of the United States government that sets safety
standards for bike helmets and other safety equipment.)
- If you use a multisport helmet for in-line skating and skateboarding, it
is not considered safe for bicycle riding unless it has the CPSC sticker.
- Any helmet should fit snugly but comfortably on your head and shouldn't
tilt backward or forward. You should never wear a baseball cap under a helmet.
- Any straps on the helmet should be fastened correctly.
- You might not think that riding your bike to school counts as a sport. But
you should always wear a helmet when you ride your bike, whether it's around
the block or on a mountain bike course.
