Safety Checklist: For the Parent

As a parent, you play an important role in the safety of your youth athlete. These tips will helpful as you strive for an injury-free season.

Be pro-active about safety issues; learn about the risks posed by the sport your child plays.
Insist that coaches receive training in first-aid and injury prevention and bring a properly stocked first-aid kit to all games and practices.
Guard against overuse injuries; don't let your child play the same sport year-round.
Demand safe fields and equipment, such as anchored goals and emergency telephones.
Ask about the weather policy of your child's league or club; if it doesn't have one, adopt your own.
Protect your child from the dangerous coach. Ask your club to run background checks on coaches.
Get your child's league or club to set up a risk management committee.