National Youth Sports Safety Month, observed in April, is the perfect time to bring safety awareness to track meets, ball games, and playing fields at school and in our communities.

National Youth Sports Safety Month sponsors offer 5 important tips for coaches, parents, and kids:

1. Before playing organized sports, make sure young athletes receive a pre-participation physical exam by a doctor. This can help rule out any potential medical conditions that may place kids at risk.
2. Bring a water bottle to practice and games. Encourage children to stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water before, during and after play.
3. Stretching before practice and games can make a big difference by releasing muscle tension and helping prevent sports-related injuries, such as muscle tears or sprains. Make sure there is time set aside before every practice and game for athletes to warm up properly.
4. An off-season is important, too. It is recommended that kids get 10 consecutive weeks of rest from any one sport every year. Playing different sports throughout the year is OK.
5. Coaches should be certified in first aid and CPR, learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion and help avoid overuse injury by resting players during practices and games.