Summer Safety: Redwood City Orthopedic Surgeon Shares Tips To Prevent Injuries
REDWOOD CITY, CA — An orthopedic surgeon with Dignity Health Medical Group – Sequoia shared his advice with Patch to warn parents and summer enthusiasts about potential injuries during peak activity months.
Dr. Neal Berger said trampolines top the list of dangerous summer activities.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against home trampolines, but Dr. Berger offered safety guidelines for those who choose to use them: only one child at a time, use an enclosure, and avoid rowdy behavior or complex moves like flips.
Dr. Berger told Patch the most common summer injuries he sees on trampolines are wrist fractures in children, ACL tears in adults, sprains, strains, bruises and contusions.
Summer activities like skateboarding, surfing and biking also come with their own risks.
The key is controlling speed, Dr. Berger told Patch.
“The faster you are, the greater the risk of serious injury,” he told Patch. “In the winter, when I get a skiing or snowboarding injury that requires surgery, I always ask, ‘How fast were you going?’ And the answer is always ‘Fast.’ It’s simple physics,”
For new athletes, he recommends starting small and gradually building skills.
Specific safety tips include:
- Avoid crowded areas when learning new sports
- Use protective gear
- Start slowly and build confidence
Dr. Berger noted an uptick in injuries during summer, particularly skateboarding incidents and falls among older adults.
“There’s more activity in the summer, and so there’s more opportunity for injury,” Dr. Berger told Patch.
He emphasized that awareness and caution can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury. For those enjoying San Mateo County’s abundant outdoor activities, Dr. Berger’s advice is simple: have fun but stay safe.
Dr. Berger, an avid surfer himself, had advice specifically for surfers:
- Never dive or jump off a surfboard without first checking water depth
- Walk out with your board and feel the bottom to understand the depth
- Be aware of potential hazards like uneven surfaces
- Avoid jumping in water when you don’t know its depth
- Be cautious of rip currents
- When surfing as a beginner, go where other people are surfing at an established spot
Dr. Berger has been practicing as an orthopedic surgeon for 11 years, including six at Dignity Health. He is originally from Philadelphia but came to visit his brother in San Francisco and fell in love with the Bay Area.
