Emergency departments report sharp increases in the number of children being admitted to the emergency department due to accidental injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a recent article in the New York Times, emergency physicians are specifically seeing an increase in accidental broken bones and fractures caused by home injuries.

Mostly these injuries take place while children are utilizing outdoor sports equipment and toys such as trampolines, bikes, and scooters.

To help prevent a trip to the ER, here are a few tips for your teenagers and tikes:

Remember to wear safety gear at all times when riding bicycles, scooters, and hover boards.

Many experts, including The American Academy of Pediatrics, actually discourages families from buying trampolines however, there are a few things you can do to ensure safety.

• No children under the age of five
• Adult supervision and adult spotters around the edge of the trampoline should always be present.
• No more than one person on trampoline at a time.
• No gymnastic exercises or stunts.

Always remember although we are on lockdown, there are fun and safe activities that your children can enjoy outside of the home. This article featured in Parade shares 125 fun activities that you can enjoy with your family while we all wait out the storm.

Although emergency departments see more than 30 million patients a year due to accidental injuries some can be avoided by taking precautions at home.