summer vacation injuries

If summer is your favorite season, you may be eager to get outside and enjoy the warm weather with your family. School’s out, so you might have vacation plans as well. While it’s healthy to have a carefree, relaxed attitude going into summer, carelessness can lead to accidents and injuries. Consider the most common summer vacation injuries according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, along with tips to avoid them.

Water Sports Injuries

Jet-skiing, wakeboarding, and other water sports are popular summer vacation pastimes. Unfortunately, these activities can result in cuts, muscle strains, sprained ankles and wrists, and orthopedic injuries. Dehydration can also occur since many people forget to drink water when hanging out in a lake or pool.

Warming up and stretching before getting in the water is the best way to avoid these summer vacation injuries. Also, keep a water bottle handy and drink from it often to stay hydrated.

Other Sporting Injuries

Volleyball, soccer, baseball, and softball can cause a number of injuries. Even casual play with family and friends can result in sprains, strains, torn ACLs, concussions, and more.

Stay fit in the offseason, stretch before playing, and cool down after each game to help avoid muscle weakness and limited range of motion that can lead to sports-related summer vacation injuries. You should also assess the condition of the court or field to ensure it’s suitable to play on. Keep a first aid kit on hand to provide a quick remedy if an injury occurs.

Amusement Park and Carnival Ride Injuries

Hundreds of millions of guests enjoy amusement parks and carnivals in the US, but a few thousand people are injured on rides each year. The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) offers these ride safety tips:

  • Heed designated age, height, weight, and health restrictions.
  • Follow all posted ride safety rules and verbal instructions from ride operators.
  • Keep your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the ride at all times.
  • Remain seated until the ride comes to a complete stop.
  • Secure or remove all loose articles, such as hats, sunglasses, cell phones, and wallets.
  • Don’t ride while intoxicated.
  • Wear the safety equipment provided.
  • If you see any unsafe behavior, report it to a ride operator immediately.

Trampoline Injuries

The most common injuries sustained on trampolines include sprains, fractures, bumps and bruises, and bloody noses. Follow these tips to keep yourself and your kids safe from these summer vacation injuries:

  • Position your trampoline on a relatively soft surface, such as grass.
  • Make sure the trampoline is correctly assembled and secure.
  • Set up a trampoline net to minimize falls.
  • Fix damaged support bars and mats before allowing anyone to jump.
  • Don’t overcrowd the trampoline.
  • Avoid high-risk maneuvers such as flips and somersaults.

ATV Injuries

Over 200,000 people are injured in ATV, moped, and mini bike accidents every summer. Prevent potentially serious or life-threatening summer vacation injuries with these tips:

  • Always wear a helmet and other protective gear.
  • Avoid riding ATVs on paved roads.
  • Don’t permit children under 16 years old to operate an adult ATV.
  • Don’t allow passengers on your ATV.

Playground Injuries

There are numerous opportunities for injuries on playground equipment, from tripping and spraining an ankle to falling from high platforms and breaking an arm. Beaumont Health Systems offers these tips for avoiding summer vacation injuries on the playground:

  • Apply sunscreen to avoid painful sunburns.
  • Check the temperature of the equipment to ensure nothing is hot enough to burn your child’s skin.
  • Look for rusty nails or faulty equipment that could cause an injury.
  • Pick age-appropriate equipment for your child to play on.
  • Don’t put a bike helmet on your child while playing on the playground. This could create a strangulation hazard.
  • Keep a close eye on your child so you can intervene quickly if an incident occurs.
  • Bring a water bottle and encourage your child to take frequent drink breaks.

Bicycle Injuries

Most summer vacation injuries occur on bicycles, with over 500,000 incidents taking place each year. Bruises, fractures, concussions, and other injuries can occur if you fall off your bike. According to a review published in the Cochrane Library, wearing a helmet reduces the risk of head and brain injuries by 63 to 88 percent.

Other safety tips include:

  • Wear biking gloves and close-toed shoes to reduce injury in a fall.
  • Wear light-colored clothing to increase visibility.
  • Only ride at night if you have reflective equipment and a bike light.
  • Avoid doing risky tricks, and keep both hands on the handlebars at all times.

Recover from Summer Vacation Injuries at Spine Correction Center of the Rockies

Whether you experience an acute injury or you aggravate an existing chronic ailment, Spine Correction Center in Fort Collins can help you recover. Our non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical therapies are designed to facilitate natural healing. Come to our office for chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression, trigger point therapy, and numerous other treatments. Your personalized healing plan begins with a free consultation to determine which therapies might be best for you. To get started, please contact us at (970) 658-5115 today!