Taking Care of Bones
Your bones help you out every day so make sure you take care of them. Here are some tips:

• Protect those skull bones (and your brain inside!) by wearing a helmet for bike riding and other sports.
• When you use a skateboard, in-line skates, or a scooter, be sure to add wrist supports and elbow and knee pads. Your bones in these places will thank you if you have a fall!
• If you play a sport like football, soccer, or ice hockey, always wear all the right equipment.
• Never play on a trampoline. Many kids end up with broken bones from jumping on them. Broken bones can eventually heal, but it takes a long time and isn't much fun while you wait.
• Strengthen your skeleton by drinking milk and eating other dairy products (like low-fat cheese, frozen yogurt, and ice cream). They all contain calcium, which helps bones harden and become strong.

Be kind to your bones, and they will treat you right!

Updated and reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date reviewed: August 2003
Originally reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD