Press Release

HOLLISTER, CA (August 2011) – Books? Check!  Pencils?  Check!  Crutches?  Sling?   Injuries are not what come to mind when thinking back-to-school time, but it is a fact that 40% of all injuries occur at the beginning and the end of every school year, according to the national organization, SafeKidsUSA.  Most accidents, nearly 70 percent, occur on public playgrounds, including school playgrounds.  More than one-third of all playground injuries are severe, with children experiencing fractures, internal injuries, concussions, and dislocations.  Of all playground equipment-related injuries, nearly 70 percent involves falls to the surface, and 10 percent involve falls onto the equipment.

CastCoverZ!, the world leader in brace, splint, boot and cast covers, patient-requested waterproof and orthopedic gear, realize that although sales spike during back-to-school time, most of these injuries are preventable.  They encourage parents, caretakers, and educators to do their own "back-to-school" education to know the facts and prevention tips to avoid accidents.  Annette Giacomazzi, founder and owner of CastCoverZ! says, "playground injuries are the leading cause of injury among children ages 5 to 14 in the school environment, with falls being the highest offender.  My 10 year old daughter was standing on top of a fairly new play structure and fell seven feet, hitting a piece of equipment on the way down and snapping her humerus, the large bone in her upper arm."  Giacomazzi added, "The facts support that playground-related injuries occur during two distinct seasons, the beginning and end of every school year.  Anecdotally and from a mother's point of view, children are distracted from thinking about safety because of the excitement of the start of the school year or the end of school.  Being safe is the farthest thing from their mind.  It is the parents, educators, and playground supervisor's job to alert our children about the potential dangers of school playgrounds."

The good news is most playground injuries are preventable.  SafeKidsUSA recommends the following tips to prevent avoidable injuries on the school playground:

1. Look for age-appropriate equipment and hazards (such as rusted or broken equipment and dangerous surfaces)

2. Avoid playing on non-impact absorbing surfaces like concrete or gravel

3. Remove hood and neck drawstrings from all children's outerwear to avoid strangulation hazards

4. Remove bike helmets before using any playground equipment

5. Children must be supervised when using playground equipment

6. Teach children proper playground behavior: no pushing, shoving, or crowding

Giacomazzi added, "there's a general rule of thumb that if a child falls greater height than he or she is tall, the likelihood of sever injury (concussion, stitched, fractures, or worse) increases significantly.  My child's horrific fall and sever fracture could have been completely prevented."  Now is the time to add to your back-to-school list a visual check of your school's playground and have a discussion with your children and your school's playground supervisors about safety on the playground.  To learn more about CastCoverZ! or to get more back-to-school injuries facts, visit www.CastCoverZ.com or subscribe to the CastCoverZ! Heal Better, Feel Better blog at http://castcoverz.blogspot.com.

About CastCoverZ!

CastCoverZ!™ offers functional and fashionable products designed to cover casts, orthotic walking boots, splints, and braces, as well as offer companion products that make a patient's life simple and bring relief, comfort and fun.  CastShield™ lets you shower with confidence and dignity, CastCooler® gives immediate relief from the itch and stench from wearing a cast, DryPro™ lets you get back in the pool or go to the beach.  CastCoverZ! has been featured in Parenting Magazine, About.com, Mom Invented, Orthopedic This Week, Lower Extremity Review, KidzWorld, Newsday, and many more.  CastCoverZ! products are currently available at select orthopedic surgeon offices or at www.castcoverz.com.  CastCoverZ! ships worldwide.