Summertime childhood injuries are unfortunately common with the increase in outdoor activity. Of these, it’s important to understand which can be treated at an urgent care clinic. Summer’s around the corner, and here’s what you need to know!

Are You Summer Ready?

Summer is a season many look forward to each year, and for good reason! From vacations and outdoor activities to sunny weather and beach trips, there is certainly no shortage of thrills to engage in. However, summertime is statistically more riddled with injury than most seasons. Various reports show a 20-25% increase in injuries between the months of June and September compared to any other season, most of which are from children. The good news is if you’re reading this, you’re already on track for a fun and safe 2023 summer!

Common Summertime Childhood Injuries

Summertime has been referred to as “trauma season” in the United States due to the influx of reported emergency room visits. In fact, of the estimated 130 million ER visits that take place annually in the U.S, the CDC estimates that roughly 25% of these occur during the summer. Before we highlight which of these can be handled at your local Next Level Urgent Care, here’s a list of the most common summertime childhood injuries you should be aware of.

• Head and facial injuries, especially due to falls on hard/rocky pavement.
• Broken bones and fractures due to falls, bicycle crashes, and sports injuries.
• Drowning and other pool side/water-related casualties.
• Heat exhaustion and heat stroke, especially stemming from dehydration.
• Head injuries from trampoline accidents, bicycle wrecks, and similar activities.
• Sprains and strains due to overuse and overactivity.

Know Before You Go!

As noted above, emergency rooms are extremely busy during the summer months with these types of injuries. However, a considerable number of these injuries could be treated at an urgent care clinic for a fraction of the cost and time. This season, should you or your child contract one of these injuries, Next Level is equipped and ready to treat the following:

• Broken bones and fractures. Unlike most urgent care clinics, Next Level can treat broken bones in house, with x-ray capabilities on site and trained medical staff to apply casts and provide follow up care.
• Burns, are another common summertime childhood injury. As long as the burns are not 3rd degree, they can be treated at Next Level.
• Sprains and strains of various types can be treated quickly at one of our clinics. Trust us, we’ve had plenty of practice!
• Skin damage – From stitches, lacerations, puncture wounds and even abscess treatment, we’re equipped to treat your little ones quickly.
• For head injuries and possible concussions, our team will assess the severity before treating and refer to an ER if needed at no additional cost.
• Dehydration and heat exhaustion can also be treated at one of our clinics. However, call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately if signs of heat stroke are present.
• Fever and Flu – Fewer things are more disheartening than being sick during the summer! For flu, fever, strep and more, we’ll help your kiddo recover faster.