Kevin Williams, M.D.Summer break is fast approaching, and it is an exciting time for children. Fun activities should be carefully monitored to ensure the prevention of common injuries children may face.

Kevin Williams, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, provides awareness and preventative measures to ensure summer break safety.

Trampoline safety:

Williams shares that, according to the most recent evidence, nearly 250,000 trampoline injuries require medical attention. Many of these injuries affect the legs and arms, while the trunk, head, and neck are less commonly affected.

If using a trampoline, prioritizing safety becomes paramount. This includes setting up the trampoline appropriately by considering its location, providing adequate padding, and ensuring continuous supervision (note that a net does not replace the need for adult supervision).

Only one person older than five years should jump on the trampoline at a time, and it is important to maintain dry and well-supervised conditions for the trampoline.

Playground safety:

Monkey bars and other climbing objects are additional risky activities for children that result in falls–sometimes onto an outstretched hand–leading to wrist, forearm, or elbow injuries.

“Some of the most common injuries we treat are wrist and forearm injuries, often nonoperatively, and elbow injuries, often treated operatively,” said Williams.

Motorized vehicle safety:

“ATV's, lawnmowers, golf carts, and really any motorized vehicles often are responsible for some of the worst pediatric injuries we see–sometimes life-changing injuries,” said Williams.

According to Williams, it is important to follow public and manufacturer recommendations in terms of supervision when using these vehicles and to make sure these are not operated by children under the recommended age, often 14 years.