Safety and Injury Prevention

Safety Gear for Sports and Play

Kiddo in football pads and helmet Many childhood injuries can be prevented. Give your child the right safety gear, teach them how to use it and make sure they wear it every time. Check with your child's coach to see which gear is needed. Also check local laws - wearing a bike helmet is the law in some areas.

Here is the gear that your child should use for sports and play:

Bicycles or Scooters

A helmet that meets U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or Snell standards. Add knee and elbow pads when on a scooter.

Skis or Snowboards

Goggles and a helmet made for snow sports. Look for a helmet that meets ASTM, Snell or CEN standards. Add wrist guards for snowboarding.

Skateboards

A multi-impact helmet that meets the ASTM F1492 standard. Also use wrist guards and knee and elbow pads.

Inline Skates

A multi-impact helmet that meets the ASTM F1492 standard. Also use wrist guards and knee and elbow pads.

Football

A helmet; mouth guard; cup (if your child has testicles); sturdy shoes with cleats; shoulder, hip, tail, thigh and knee pads.

Soccer

Shin guards, cleats and a mouth guard.

Baseball and Softball

A batting helmet with face mask, cleats, mouth guard, elbow guards and cup (if your child has testicles). Catchers should also wear a helmet, face mask, throat guard, long-model chest protector and shin guards.

Lacrosse

Girls need a mouth guard and ASTM-approved eye wear. Boys need a helmet with facemask, mouth guard, arm guards, padded gloves, cup and shoulder and rib pads. All goalies need goalie gloves, a helmet with face protection, throat guard and a chest protector. Most wear arm pads and padded pants under their shorts. Female goalies need leg pads and pelvic/abdominal protection. Helmets must meet the NOCSAE standard.