Sports injuries peak in spring -- here's how to avoid 'em

It's the peak season for playing outside, and athletes young and not-so-young are at risk for getting hurt.

The National Athletic Trainers' Association works with the more than 421,000 college-level athletes and more than 7 million high school athletes. The group estimates an annual 715,000 high school athletes experience a sports-related injury, and 8,000 children playing sports visit hospital emergency rooms.

Safety involves attention before, during and after the season, NATA members say. Here are their tips for keeping players on the field and out of the emergency room.

Warm up with a visit to the doc: Pre-participation exams will assess if a child's body is ready to play, and may uncover previously unnoticed conditions. Parents should be sure the team has emergency medical and contact information.

Head games: Is the child mentally up for the sport? Pushing a child to play is counter-productive. Also, athletes returning from an injury need to have the right mindset to avoid a repeat injury.

Hot spot: Florida's heat can be a bear. Acclimate an athlete to warm weather activities over a two-week period to increase heat tolerance.

Concussion clues: Brain injuries are no joke. There are more than 63,000 a year in high school sports, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Parents, athletes and coaches should look for symptoms (such as dizziness, fatigue and/or memory loss) and speak up if they notice problems.

Tools of the trade: Check if sports equipment works properly, and locate emergency medical equipment. See if the school or sports team keeps automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on the sidelines. Know where to find the equipment, and find out who knows how to use it. Check credentials if appropriate.

Know your coach: Be sure all coaches and volunteers undergo a background check. Also check for experience or credentials in the sport they coach, and if they have received first aid training.

Spring cleaning: Does the athlete play in and around clean facilities, devoid of germs and bacteria that travel easily through shared gear, towels and water bottles? Is athletic equipment laundered or disinfected regularly?