Oh, summertime—how we love thee. Let us count the ways! It can be easy for all of us to get a little carefree during the summer. But while you want a carefree spirit, our team at AFC Urgent Care Sevierville wants to emphasize the importance of staying safe.

Broken Bones & Kids

Did you know that broken bones are among the most frequent injuries in children, especially during the summer months? When a child breaks a bone, it can be scary for both the child and the parent. Not to mention that a broken bone usually means no summer swimming due to a cast. Fortunately, even if you are one of the many parents who have a kid who is a little adventurous, there are ways you can help him or her reduce the risk of breaking a bone this summer.

Got Calcium?

Who remembers the “Got Milk?” ads from our younger days? Those advertisements were meant to emphasize the importance of milk and other dairy products as part of a healthy diet for everyone, including children. Dairy plays a key role in helping kids get the calcium and vitamin D they need to build healthy bones. Therefore, the next time your child is thirsty, why not give him or her a glass of low-fat or skim milk to drink? Cheese and yogurt can help boost calcium intake—and may be more appealing to your little one’s tastebuds.

Get Out and Move

Regular exercise is important for both children and adults. However, weight-bearing exercises like jumping rope are especially important to help your children boost their bone health. In addition, team sports can also help encourage exercise and improve bone strength in children. During team sports and other activities, ensure your child takes other precautions to avoid injuries, including wearing the right safety equipment. Proper safety equipment includes:

• Helmets
• Elbow pads
• Knee pads
• Eye goggles

When a Broken Bone Occurs…

Sometimes no matter what precautions are taken, broken bones happen! If a broken bone occurs, take steps to limit the effects of the injury. If the injury has caused bleeding, stop the bleeding by applying pressure. You also want to immobilize the injured area to ensure further injury doesn’t occur. Apply ice packs to the injured area to alleviate swelling and reduce pain. After the injury has been diagnosed and treated by a medical professional, there are steps you can take to help your child heal and get back to normal, injury-free life. Nutrition is an important factor in helping heal broken bones. Therefore, once home and rested, make sure you’re fueling your child’s body with the right foods, including plenty of calcium, to spur healing. Did you or a little one get hurt while out hiking in the Smokies? Whether you live in our community or are visiting for vacation, don’t hesitate to stop by AFC Urgent Care Sevierville. We’re here for you seven days a week!