Spring Break Safety Tips: Protecting Your Family from Common Injuries and Emergencies

It's a sunny spring afternoon in Oklahoma, and families are out enjoying the beautiful weather. Kids are riding ATVs, splashing in the pool, and playing in the park. But what starts as a fun day can quickly turn into a trip to the emergency room if safety precautions aren't taken seriously.

Spring break is a time for relaxation and fun, but it's also a period when emergency room visits spike across Oklahoma. According to data from the Oklahoma State Department of Health, certain injuries become significantly more common during school breaks and vacation periods.

As the state's only American Academy of Surgeons (ACS)-verified Level I trauma center, OU Health not only treats injuries but also leads prevention efforts, including ATV Ride Safe Oklahoma, Stop the Bleed, and trauma education programs.

"I see trauma as having one of three causes: bad friends, bad luck, or bad choices,” said trauma surgeon Dr. Jason Lees, M.D., FACS, Robert D. Gordon, Jr Professor of Surgery and Section Chief for acute care surgery at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. With warmer weather, emergency rooms see a predictable rise in injuries. Understanding common injuries can help keep your family safe.

Water-Related Injuries

Oklahoma's lakes and pools become popular destinations during spring break, but they also present serious risks:

• Drowning and near-drowning incidents: These occur most frequently with children under 14 and often happen during brief moments when supervision is interrupted.
• Diving injuries: Cervical spine fractures and traumatic brain injuries can result from diving into shallow water or striking underwater objects.
• Boating accidents: Collisions, falls overboard, and propeller injuries account for dozens of serious trauma cases each spring at our facility.

"When it comes to pools, eyes on kids at all times is critical," said Dr. Lees. "As we're opening pools for the season, make sure your gates and safety barriers are functioning properly. Even with shallow water, constant supervision is essential as drowning can happen quickly and quietly."

ATV and Recreational Vehicle Accidents

All-terrain vehicles are popular in Oklahoma, but they're also responsible for some of the most severe trauma cases we see:

• Rollovers and ejections: Without proper training and safety equipment, riders can sustain multiple fractures, internal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.
• Collision injuries: ATV collisions with fixed objects or other vehicles often result in complex trauma requiring specialized care.

More than 40% of ATV-related ER visits involve children under 16, despite safety recommendations against young riders operating adult-sized vehicles.

"ATVs are probably our biggest source of injuries as the weather warms up," said Dr. Lees. "We also see a significant number of motorcycle crashes. Maintaining safe speeds and avoiding collisions is critical. Too often, ATV’s crash on trails or recreation areas because riders don’t see each other in time.”

Dr. Lees emphasizes that wearing a helmet is one of the most effective ways to prevent serious injury.

Road Travel Incidents

• Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of serious injury during vacation periods.
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents increase significantly during school breaks when more children are outdoors near roadways.

Dr. Lees noted that Oklahoma's extensive highway system, including the longest stretch of Route 66 in any state, experiences numerous motorcycle and vehicle crashes during travel seasons.

Sports and Recreation Injuries

Active spring break activities lead to predictable injury patterns:

• Fractures and sprains: Falls from playground equipment, trampolines, and during recreational sports are common.
• Heat-related illnesses: Even in early spring, dehydration and heat exhaustion can occur during outdoor activities, especially when people have not acclimated to more strenuous activity from winter months inside.
• Higher risk for those on blood thinners: Individuals on blood thinners face a heightened risk of severe complications, particularly from head injuries, which can lead to significant disability or death.

Spring Cleaning and Yard Work Injuries

Seemingly mundane activities can lead to serious injuries:

• Ladder falls: Climbing ladders for yard work or attic access poses a risk, with many injuries occurring during spring cleaning.
• Tree trimming accidents: Falling branches and tree limbs can cause severe injuries, including permanent disability or even death.

Enhanced Spring Break Safety Tips

While we can't eliminate all risks, we can take practical steps to protect our families during spring break activities. The following safety measures can dramatically reduce the likelihood of a vacation emergency and help ensure your time off is remembered for fun rather than injuries.

"By being proactive and prepared, you can enjoy peace of mind while your family creates lasting memories," said Dr. Michael McCoy, M.D., CAQSM, an OU Health family medicine physician specializing in sports medicine.

Water Safety

• Implement touch supervision: Always stay within arm's reach of young children in or near water.
• Designate a "water watcher": When in groups, assign adults to take 15-minute shifts focusing solely on watching children in the water without distractions.
• Learn CPR and basic rescue techniques: Quick response to water emergencies significantly improves outcomes.
• Use Coast Guard-approved life jackets: Water wings and pool toys are not safety devices and create a false sense of security.
• Install proper barriers: If you have a home pool, ensure it has four-sided isolation fencing with self-closing, self-latching gates.

"Life vests should be used for everyone, even if you are an expert swimmer," said Dr. McCoy. "Use a buddy system for adults and dedicated people that will watch children around even small pools of water."

ATV Safety

• Follow age restrictions: Children under 16 should not operate adult-sized ATVs. Use age-appropriate vehicles with speed limiters.
• Always wear proper safety gear: A DOT-approved helmet, eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves should be non-negotiable.
• Take a hands-on safety course: Formal training significantly reduces accident rates, especially for young riders.
• Prohibit passenger riding: Most ATVs are designed for a single rider. Adding passengers changes the vehicle's center of gravity and handling characteristics.
• Stay off public roads: ATVs are designed for off-road use only---their high center of gravity makes them prone to rollovers on paved surfaces.

"Helmets, helmets, helmets when in or on anything that can move you faster than a jogging pace!" stressed Dr. McCoy. "Lots of things on the body can be fixed, but you only get one brain. Don't mess it up. We want to help you have a lifetime of fun and keep you active for as long as possible."

Road Travel Safety

• Conduct a pre-trip vehicle inspection: Check tires, fluid levels, brakes, and lights before long journeys.
• Plan for fatigue: Schedule breaks every two hours or 100 miles and alternate drivers when possible.
• Eliminate distractions: Use drive mode on phones and prepare entertainment for children before departure.
• Properly secure children: Use age-appropriate car seats or booster seats correctly installed for every trip, no matter how short.
• Pack an emergency kit: Include basic first aid supplies, water, non-perishable snacks, flashlights, and a portable phone charger.

Heat Protection

• Schedule outdoor activities strategically: Plan high-energy activities for cooler morning or evening hours.
• Recognize early signs of heat illness: Headache, dizziness, nausea, and excessive sweating warrant immediate cooling and hydration.

"Try to get out and active when the weather is warming up for shorter periods of time to get used to the increasing temperatures," said Dr. McCoy. "This will get you prepared for longer periods of time outside in the warmer weather.

• Follow the "drink before thirsty" rule: By the time children feel thirsty, they're already mildly dehydrated.

"Drink about a 10th of your body weight in water or sports beverage (some combination of both leaning more towards water) about 4 hours before activities begin," said Dr. McCoy. "You should aim to drink about 2-3 cups every hour while physically active and in the sun, maybe more if people are particularly sweaty or doing something strenuous.”

For prolonged exercise more than 90 minutes, beverages containing electrolytes and carbohydrates are beneficial to sustain fluid and electrolyte balance and enhance performance.

Sun Protection

"Early-life sunburns are a major risk factor for developing skin cancer later in life, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers," Dr. McCoy said.

He recommends these practical steps for sun protection:

• Dress properly: Dress children in lightweight, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and wide-brimmed hats. Clothing with a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) of 30 or higher is recommended. There are swimwear options with UPF protection as well.
• Protecting infants: Infants under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight and protected with shade and clothing rather than sunscreen.
• Using sunglasses: Protect children's eyes with sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
• Using sunscreen: Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher (ideally SPF 60 or higher) to all exposed skin. For children over 6 months, physical UV filters like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are preferred due to their lower risk of skin irritation. Sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every 2-4 hours, or more frequently if swimming or sweating.

Playground and Recreational Safety

• Inspect play areas: Look for potential hazards like broken equipment, sharp edges, or unsafe surfaces before allowing children to play.
• Choose age-appropriate activities: Many injuries occur when younger children attempt activities designed for older kids.
• Set clear safety rules: Establish and consistently enforce rules about safe behavior during recreational activities.
• Supervise trampoline use rigorously: Allow only one jumper at a time, prohibit somersaults, and ensure proper padding and enclosure netting.

When to Seek Medical Care

Even with careful planning and preventive measures, injuries and illnesses can still occur during spring break activities. Knowing when and where to seek appropriate medical attention can make a critical difference in treatment outcomes and recovery times.

Seek emergency care immediately for:

• Loss of consciousness
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe bleeding
• Suspected fractures, especially if the limb appears deformed
• Head injuries, particularly if accompanied by vomiting, confusion, or severe headache
• Burns larger than the palm of the hand
• Neck or spine injuries

Urgent care may be appropriate for:

• Minor cuts requiring stitches
• Simple fractures
• Sprains and strains
• Mild dehydration
• Minor burns
• Insect bites and rashes

The Importance of a Level I Trauma Center

Oklahoma’s only Level I Trauma Center plays a vital role in the state's healthcare system, ensuring that the highest level of emergency care is available when it matters most.

"Would you live in a city that didn't have a fire department or police department? Most people would say no,” Dr. Lees said.

Unlike scheduled procedures, trauma happens unexpectedly.

“Trauma happens in the middle of night, in the middle of day, (it) happens on ice,” Dr. Lees said. “It happens in sunny weather. It happens when you're on vacation. It happens when you're at home minding your own business, and you don't know when you're going to need it, but you will need it. Our multidisciplinary teams ensure that we can handle all ranges of trauma care.”

Preparing for the Unexpected

Despite taking precautions, emergencies can still occur. Families can ensure they are prepared for the unexpected by:

• Keeping a well-stocked first aid kit in your home, car, and travel bags
• Saving emergency contact numbers in your phone
• Learning basic first aid and CPR
• Knowing the locations of emergency medical facilities near your vacation destination
• Having copies of important medical information for all family members

Accidents can happen despite precautions, but prevention is better than treatment. As Oklahoma's only Level I trauma center, OU Health's multidisciplinary teams are ready to provide top-tier care for any injuries or medical issues.

Learn more about trauma and injury care at OU Health’s Level 1 Trauma Center and find out where an OU Health Emergency Room or Urgent Care is near you.