Each year, nationwide, more than 3.5 million children ages 14 and under are treated for sports injuries. Roughly half of these injuries are sustained in solo activities--especially biking, skating and skateboarding--but approximately one out of four participants in youth soccer, football or baseball has been injured at least once. About 15 percent of kids playing basketball have been injured, and 12 percent of kids playing softball.

In team sports, most injuries--62 percent--occur during practices, not games. "Always insist that your kids wear the same protective gear, do the same warmups and take all the same precautions when they practice as when they're getting ready for a game," says Chrissy Cianflone, director of program operations at Safe Kids Worldwide.

Safe Kids USA recommends these precautions for all children playing or practicing any individual or team sport.

     *Before signing up for a sport, get a general physical exam.
     *Always wear asppropriate protective gear for the activity--for practice as well as games--make sure it's the right size and properly adjusted.
     *Do your warmups. Again, if it's important fore a game, it's important before practice too.
     *Make sure responsible adults know and enforce the safety rules of the sport, are present to provide supervision, and are trained in first aid and CPR. Also, make sure the field is in safe condition.
     *Never "play throught" an injury. Get immediate help from a coach or trainer and be sure to mention everything that hurs or aches.
     *Follow the rules. In most sports, the rules are based not only on sportsmanship, but safety.

Last but not least: "Stay hydrated," says Cianflone. "Drink plenty of water or electrolyte sports drinks before and furing the activity, and rest frequently during hot weather. A child can lose up to a quart of sweat during two hours of exercise, and kids get overheated more quickly than adutls and cannot cool down as easily."

"When we think of sports injuries, we think of dramatic tackles or falls or being hit in the head, but young athletes are also at risk of strains and repetitive-motion injuries," says Cianflone. "If your coach recommends certain types of warmups, it's not just to make you a better athlete--it will help keep you from getting hurt." Repetitive-motion injuries account for nearly half of all sports injuries to students in grade 6 and above.

References: National Safekids Campaign---USA Safekids