Helmets Are Key
The equipment you wear while participating in sports and other activities is key to preventing injuries.
Start with helmets: They’re important for sports such as football, hockey, baseball, softball, biking, skateboarding, inline skating, skiing, and snowboarding — to name just a few.
- Always wear a helmet made for the sport you’re playing.
- When choosing a bike helmet, look for a sticker that says the helmet meets the safety standard set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), a federal regulatory agency that creates safety standards for bike helmets and other safety equipment.
- If you use a multi-sport helmet for inline skating and skateboarding, it is not considered safe for bicycle riding unless it has the CPSC sticker.
- Any helmet should fit snugly but comfortably on your head and shouldn’t tilt backward or forward.
Eye Protection
Eye protection also is a must for many sports:
- The most protective eye gear is made from a plastic called polycarbonate and has been tested especially for sports use.
- Facemasks or polycarbonate guards or shields that attach to a helmet are worn in sports such as football, ice hockey, and softball and baseball when batting.
- Goggles are often worn for soccer, basketball, racquet sports, snowboarding, street hockey, and baseball and softball when fielding.
- If you wear glasses, you’ll probably need prescription polycarbonate goggles — don’t just wear your regular glasses when you’re on the court or field.
- All eye protection should fit securely and have cushions above your eyebrows and over your nose.
More Essential Equipment
Mouthguards can protect your mouth, teeth, and tongue:
- You should wear a mouthguard if you play a contact sport or other sport where head injury is a risk, such as football, basketball, hockey, volleyball, martial arts, boxing, or wrestling.
- Mouthguards can be fitted for your mouth by a dentist or purchased at sports stores.
- If you wear a retainer, always take it out before you start to exercise, practice, or play.
Wrist, knee, and elbow guards are important gear, too:
- If you inline skate, skateboard, or ride a scooter, you should wear guards.
- Elbow and wrist guards can prevent arm and wrist fractures, and knee guards can shield your knees from cuts and breaks.
