General Health & Safety

Instant or chemical cold or gel packs are among the items that most experts say should be included in a well-stocked first aid kit. But, while instant cold or gel packs are easy to store and are more convenient than ice, experts say that they may damage the skin because of the cold temperatures they reach.

The first four steps of first aid for sports injuries to joints such (elbow, ankle, knee, finger, wrist sprains) are known by the acronym "RICE," which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

Along with strains sprains are among the most common injuries in sports. All sports and exercises, even walking, carry a risk of such injuries. Sprains can take as little as a few days to heal or as long as a few weeks. To reduce the risk of sprains, experts, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, make a number of easy-to-follow recommendations.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has developed a heat index chart parents and coaches can use to determine when heat and humidity have reached the point where athletes are at serious risk of heat illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.

The Consumer Federation Of America makes three recommendations to parents regarding bike helmet safety and use: (1) make sure children always wear helmets while biking; (2) make sure the helmet fits; and (3) praise the child for wearing a helmet and make sure you wear yours too.

There are ten things parents should look for in evaluating the safety of their child's high school athletic program, according to the National Association of Athletic Trainers.