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As a parent, you are always concerned about your child’s safety. Whether they are participating in a group activity or outside practicing their favorite hobby, knowing your kids are safe is key. Data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) has identified some of the sports with the highest rate of injuries for children. The data was sourced from information collected by hospitals and provides information about children under 4, 5 to 14, and 15 to 24. Here is a look at what sports it found to be the most dangerous in terms of injuries.
Average Cost of a Trip to the ER
No one wants to have to rush their child to the emergency room for any type of injury. It can be traumatic and costly. The average cost of a trip to the ER without insurance can be more than $2,000. Even with insurance, you may wind up paying steep copays and you will still likely have out-of-pocket costs unless you’ve met your deductible.
That said, knowing what sports and activities cause the most injuries among adolescents can save everyone a lot of heartache (and cash).
Most Dangerous Activities for Kids Under 4
It probably won’t come as a surprise to you that most of the injuries in children under four were in relation to playground equipment. Around 49,233 children were brought into the hospital in 2023 with some type of injury that occurred on the playground. The other common sources of injuries in this age group included:
- Trampolines: 25,516 injuries
- Swimming, pools, equipment: 20,254 injuries
- Bicycles & accessories: 13,312 injuries
- Exercise equipment: 7,750 injuries
For parents, it is key to supervise their children when they are at the playground or around the pool. These activities can be especially dangerous if an adult isn’t paying close attention. Experts recommend not allowing any children under the age of six on a trampoline to avoid serious injury.
Sports With the Highest Injuries for Kids 5-14
When it comes to kids ages 5 to 14, playground equipment is still involved in a large number of incidents (125,692). However, it is no longer the leading cause of injury among this age group. Here’s a breakdown.
- Football: 140,877 injuries
- Playground equipment: 125,692 injuries
- Basketball: 114,123 injuries
- Soccer: 101,072 injuries
- Bicycles & accessories: 92,776 injuries
Where team sports are concerned, proper equipment, hydration, and regular breaks can all help prevent injuries. Protective gear like helmets should be worn for activities like football and cycling. Shin guards and shoulder pads should be used in soccer and football. It’s also recommended that children warm up or stretch before playing. This helps cut down on their risk of strains or other injuries.
Top Activities for Injuries Among Young Adults 15-24
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Basketball, football, and soccer remain among the top activities that lead to injuries for young adults ages 15 to 24. Other common activities that cause injuries in this age group include exercise equipment and ATVs, mopeds, or minibikes. This is how the numbers were broken down.
- Basketball: 149,816 injuries
- Football: 101,796 injuries
- Exercise equipment: 95,671 injuries
- ATVs, mopeds, minibikes: 76,485 injuries
- Soccer: 75,978 injuries
It may be harder to keep your older kids safe. They are hard-headed and don’t always listen. The main recommendation for this age group is to ensure all the equipment they use is being used properly. They also need to know basic first aid, like how to identify a concussion and how to put someone in the recovery position. It’s also important to teach teenagers about balancing nutrition, rest, and working out. This will help them build a healthy fitness routine that can last a lifetime.
Ultimately, you’re not always going to be able to keep your child from getting hurt. Knowing what activities are most dangerous can help you mitigate risks though. For instance, you might want to keep your three-year-old off the trampoline and heavily supervise any other outdoor activities. Similarly, you might want to talk to your teenager about proper use of equipment and healthy habits. In the end, knowledge is always power when it comes to parenting and protecting your kids.
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Drew Blankenship is a former Porsche technician who writes and develops content full-time. He lives in North Carolina, where he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. While Drew no longer gets his hands dirty modifying Porsches, he still loves motorsport and avidly watches Formula 1.
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