I’m all about any sort of parenting tip that helps keep my children safe. I found this article interesting about broken bones and how to prevent them.boys playing soccer

According to pediatric orthopaedic experts from Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital, the top five common breaks/fractures seen among children are:

1)elbow

2)ankle

3)lower part of the humerus (another part of the elbow)

4)forearm

5) hip

Tips for fracture prevention and keepings kids bones safe include:

1)Proper adult supervision and home safety; Non-slip rugs, appropriate stools or ladders with non-skid legs, child safety locks on cupboard doors and drawers so children cannot climb up.

2)Protective gear, including wrist guards and helmets, braces and knee pads should be worn during roller-type activities

3)Avoid (or extreme caution during) high-risk activities, including riding on lawnmowers, trampoline use in the home, riding all-terrain vehicles

4)Keep children’s bicycles in good working order (use reflectors/light at dusk, teach child the rules of the road

5)Use playground equipment with a protective surface surrounding it (preferably rubber or shredded rubber)

Parents should be responsible for the needed safety equipment, education, maintenance and repair of any play equipment and involve the child in the process of learning the safety requirements of participating in the particular activity. If the child does not go through the proper safety educational training or agree to wear safety equipment they should not be allowed to get that type of play equipment or participate in the activity.

Strong bones are key in helping to prevent fractures. Tips to support bone health include:

1) Get enough calcium. Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital doctors recommend 1300 mg per day in a form that the child enjoys – milk, cheese, green vegetables or a daily children’s vitamin-mineral supplement.

2) Proper muscle development. As muscles develop they pull on the place they attach to the bone and the slow steady increase in the intensity of this during a progressive exercise, play, or activity program strengthens the bone at that attachment site. At least 25 to 40 minutes of rigorous daily exercise such as running, climbing or bicycling will aid muscle development and increase bone strength.

3) Vitamin D. Fifteen minutes of sunlight and citrus fruits are good sources of Vitamin D. Citrus fruits also help to prevent rickets, which is a softening of the bones in children caused by deficiency of Vitamin D that can increase a child’s susceptibility to fractures.

This article was posted for the purpose of informing parents. I found the information important and was not compensated by posting it.

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