Go to your son or daughter's game, end up at the hospital.

Not exactly the way you want to end the day with your child, but sports-related injuries continue to pose a significant risk to the health of young people, accounting for close to 20 per cent of all hospital emergency room visits among children in Canada.

The sports of hockey, soccer, basketball, football, and baseball lead the standings in this alarming category: most visits to emergency rooms.

The good news is that it's estimated that up to 50 per cent of sports injuries are preventable, and parents as well as coaches hold the keys to some of the most effective sports injury prevention strategies.

SportSmart is for you if you are interested in learning what you can do, whether or not your child has ever sustained a sports-related injury.

In a fast-moving, 90-minute workshop session being held tonight (Jan. 10), SportSmart's introductory sport safety and performance workshop is designed to help parents, coaches and managers understand how they can successfully apply injury prevention and athlete development principles that are drawn from evidence from the latest research world-wide.

Participants will learn to:

- ensure players are properly prepared for activity;

- recognize the signs and symptoms of serious injuries, including concussions;

- administer basic onsite sports first-aid;

- set up a safe, enjoyable environment;

- find evidence based advice and guidelines; as well as

- where to turn in the event of an injury to their children.

SportSmart also features performance tips to help your children and your players get the most out of their sports activities.

The Langley session will be held today (Jan. 10) from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fraser River Presentation Theatre at Langley Township's civic facility 20338 65 Ave.

Pre-registration is required at technicaldirector@luysa. com.