The Top 10 Reasons Kids End Up in the ER Before School Starts
And Yes…We Saw Every One of These Last Summer.
By Dr. Juleen Qandah
There’s something about the last few weeks of summer.
Parents are trying to squeeze every ounce of fun out of vacation. Kids suddenly believe they’re invincible. And emergency departments across America quietly brace themselves.
As an ER physician, I can almost tell what month it is without looking at a calendar. August has its own personality. It’s loud, adventurous, sunburned, slightly overconfident, and usually begins with the words, “Watch this.”
While many injuries are simply accidents, plenty are preventable. So before you hear the words, “Mom…don’t be mad…,” let’s review the annual August Hall of Fame.
- The Trampoline Olympics
One kid jumps.
Then two.
Then six.
Someone decides it’s a great time to try a backflip they watched on YouTube.
The result? Sprained ankles, broken wrists, fractured elbows, and occasionally much worse.
Reality check: The safest trampoline is one with only one jumper at a time, even if your kids insist that’s “boring.”
- Back-to-School Sports Injuries
August is when summer fun suddenly turns into preseason practice.
Kids go from sleeping in and swimming all day to running drills in the heat, cutting across fields, jumping, sprinting, and trying to “shake it off” when something hurts.
That’s when we see ankle sprains, knee injuries, wrist fractures, heat exhaustion, and the occasional concussion.
Reality check: Ease back in. Stretch, hydrate, take breaks, and don’t ignore pain that changes how your child walks, runs, throws, or plays.
- Scooter and E-Bike Crashes
Today’s scooters are faster than many parents realize.
And e-bikes? They aren’t toys. They’re motorized vehicles capable of serious speeds.
Reality check: The faster the ride, the more serious the injuries we see.
- Fishhooks
Only at the lake can someone proudly announce, “I caught something!”
…and they’re talking about their brother’s ear.
Please don’t try the internet trick with fishing line unless you truly know what you’re doing. Fishhooks near the face or eyes belong in the emergency department.
- Diving Into Unknown Water
Every summer someone assumes the lake is deeper than it really is.
The safest way to enter unfamiliar water is feet first. Water depths change, and hidden rocks, logs, sandbars, or other underwater hazards aren’t always visible.
One bad dive can change a life forever.
- Bee Stings and Bug Bites
Most are annoying.
A few are emergencies.
If your child develops trouble breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, widespread hives, dizziness, or faints after a sting, don’t wait. Call 911 immediately.
- Playground “Hold My Juice Box”
Children are fearless.
Gravity is undefeated.
Monkey bars continue their decades-long rivalry with wrists, elbows, and collarbones.
- Dehydration
Kids are having too much fun to stop drinking water.
Then practice runs long.
The sun is blazing.
Everyone feels “just tired.”
Hydration starts before they’re thirsty.
And don’t forget the coaches standing out there, too.
- Backyard Fireworks
If your emergency physician tells you to leave fireworks to the professionals…
…it’s because we’ve seen the alternative.
Hands heal.
Eyes often don’t.
- “It Didn’t Seem That Bad…”
This is the phrase we hear more than any other.
Children are remarkably tough.
Sometimes too tough.
A child who keeps playing after getting hurt can still have a broken bone, a concussion, or another significant injury.
Trust your instincts.
If something seems off, have it evaluated.
One Last Thought
Summer should absolutely include scraped knees, muddy shoes, campfires, fishing trips, football practices, and memories your kids will tell their own children someday.
Our goal isn’t to wrap kids in bubble wrap.
It’s to help them take smart risks instead of dangerous ones.
So enjoy every last sunset, every cannonball, every pickup game, every football practice, and every ice cream cone before school starts again.
And if we don’t see you in the ER this August…
We’ll all consider that a successful summer.
ER Fast Facts: August Edition
Things We Never Thought We’d Say Out Loud
“Please stop licking the frozen flagpole.”
“No, fishhooks are not removable with pliers in the kitchen.”
“Yes, sunscreen expires.”
“No, ‘walk it off’ is not a medical diagnosis.”
“If your child says, ‘Don’t tell my mom,’ we’re definitely calling your mom.”
Summer Safety in 30 Seconds
Ease back into sports and practices. Pain that changes how your child moves should be checked.
One person on the trampoline.
Wear a life jacket, even if your child is a strong swimmer.
Drink water before you’re thirsty.
Enter unfamiliar water feet first—never dive unless you know it’s deep enough and free of hazards.
Leave fireworks to the professionals.
Apply and reapply sunscreen.
Trust your gut. If your child doesn’t seem right, have them checked.
The best emergency visit is the one you never need. Have a safe, fun finish to your summer!
