Article brought to us by Injured In Florida website
Using playground equipment and playing football and basketball named as the most dangerous activities for kids
Key Findings:
- New data lists the most dangerous activities for kids of all age groups
- Using playground equipment is most dangerous for kids four and under, while football is dangerous for kids between 5 and 14
- Basketball is most dangerous for kids over 15, while playing football, exercise machines, and ATVs or mopeds also caused a high number of injuries
All parents worry about their children’s safety, especially when they participate in physical activities that could result in injury, like sports and playground games. That’s why the team at Injured In Florida, a personal injury law firm based in Florida, has analyzed injury data to reveal the most hazardous activities kids can participate in.
The data was sourced from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), a service that collects data on injuries from a representative number of hospitals nationwide. Injured in Florida’s study uses the figures from 2023 for three different age groups: under 4’s, ages 5-14, and ages 15-24. In each age group, the five activities that led to the most injuries in 2023 have been named.
Table 1: 5 Activities Causing The Most Injuries In 2023 (Children Under 4)
| 2023 | |
| Age 0-4 | Number of Injuries |
| Playground Equipment | 49,233 |
| Trampolines | 25,516 |
| Swimming, Pools, Equipment | 20,254 |
| Bicycles & Accessories | 13,312 |
| Exercise, Exercise Equipment | 7,750 |
Safety Tips For Parents
Supervision is the key to a child’s safety during any of these activities. “While it’s tempting to wander away and get something else done while the kids play, that’s when accidents happen, especially with younger children,” says a spokesperson for Injured In Florida.
With playground equipment, parents should make sure kids under four play with equipment specifically designed for toddlers and preschoolers. Soft landing surfaces like sand or wood chips help to cushion falls. “Avoid clothes with drawstrings or loose-fitting garments that can get caught in equipment,” says Injured In Florida.
While trampolines are a common cause of injury, experts recommend children under six should be kept off trampolines as the bouncing motion can damage their developing bodies.
When it comes to swimming, Injured In Florida reiterates their point about supervision with an even stronger emphasis. “A child can drown in under 30 seconds, so parents need to watch their children the entire time they’re in the water.” Flotation devices can be used to help but should not be a substitute for an adult.
Table 2: 5 Activities Causing The Most Injuries In 2023 (Children Aged 5 to 14)
| Age 5-14 | Number of Injuries |
| Football | 140,877 |
| Playground Equipment | 125,692 |
| Basketball | 114,123 |
| Soccer | 101,072 |
| Bicycles & Accessories | 92,776 |
Safety Tips For Parents
Parents should ensure their child drinks enough water and takes regular breaks for football, basketball, and soccer, to combat overheating, dehydration, and fatigue. Kids should also always warm up and stretch properly before playing, to prepare their bodies for action and help prevent injuries.
“In most of these sports, proper equipment is fundamental to a child’s safety” says Injured In Florida. “Football and bicycling both require helmets, while soccer and football require more protective equipment like shin pads, mouthguards, and shoulder pads. Kids should always wear proper footwear appropriate for the sport – for example, you need soccer cleats and proper grippy soles to keep your balance and prevent falls in soccer and basketball.”
Parents should also make sure the field or court is free of hazards and isn’t too wet to play on. Kids should always be supervised while bicycling on the road and dealing with traffic.
Table 3: 5 Activities Causing The Most Injuries In 2023 (Ages 15 to 24)
| Age 15-24 | Number of Injuries |
| Basketball | 149,816 |
| Football | 101,796 |
| Exercise, Exercise Equipment | 95,671 |
| ATV’s, Mopeds, Minibikes | 76,485 |
| Soccer | 75,978 |
Safety Tips For Parents
Many of the above tips apply to the 15-24 age category. However, older kids and young adults can also start to learn the basics of first aid, such as putting someone in the recovery position and checking for a concussion.
When it comes to exercise equipment, kids should always be taught the proper technique for each piece of equipment before being allowed to use it for themselves. Kids should be taught the benefit of using spotters to keep them safe and how to inspect equipment to ensure it’s well-maintained and safe to use.
“It’s also important to teach children, teenagers, and young adults how nutrition and rest should be balanced with workouts to build a healthy fitness routine,” says Injured In Florida.
Kids using ATVs, mopeds, and minibikes should always ride in compliance with the law. They need to wear proper protective gear such as helmets, gloves, long pants and sleeves, and sturdy shoes.
“Bikes and ATVs should always be well-maintained,” says Injured In Florida. “You can promote this to your kids by involving them in checking things like brakes, tires, and lights, teaching them skills they can use later in life.”
A spokesperson from Injured In Florida commented:
“It’s essential for parents to take steps to prevent injuries, particularly for kids who are still developing physically and mentally. Comprehensive education for kids, parents, and coaches, focusing on the importance of proper technique, conditioning, and awareness of one’s own physical limitations, is a great way to promote safer sport. Parents and educators should teach children to implement a structured warm-up and cool-down routine, as it prepares the body for physical activity and aids in recovery after exertion, reducing the likelihood of injury.
“For older kids, encouraging open communication between themselves, coaches, and parents about the signs and symptoms of an injury is vital so that injuries can be detected and treated early. A proactive approach that combines education, appropriate training, and a strong emphasis on safety can significantly reduce the risk of injury.”
About Injured In Florida
Injured in Florida is a personal injury law firm based in Florida, dedicated to helping individuals recover compensation for injuries from accidents, including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, as well as slip and falls, dog bites, work accidents, and wrongful deaths. Founded in 2004, SKG emphasizes personalized attention, aggressive legal representation, and no fees unless the case is won. With multiple offices across Florida, SKG aims to relieve clients’ financial stress and ensure they receive the compensation they deserve.
Methodology
Data was collected from the NEISS (National Electronic Injury Surveillance System) and published by the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission).
Data is missing for some activities for some years, as injury data was not collected for those specific activities for these years.
The sports with the highest injury rates don’t just reflect what is most dangerous but also how popular the sport is since this is based on 100,000 people rather than 100,000 participants.
Article brought to us by Injured In Florida website
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
