SUNDAY, Jan. 4 (HealthDayNews) -- About 500,000 people play ice hockey, far fewer than most sports, and yet it is the second leading cause of winter sports injuries among children.

That's according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with about a third of the injuries coming from sprains or bruises on the legs, knees or ankles. However, head injuries are also common, and those can lead to concussions and more permanent injuries.

The single most important way to avoid injuries is to wear proper equipment. A helmet, for example, with a face guard will reduce many injuries. Neck guards also help reduce spinal injuries, which can be life-threatening. Kids should also wear properly fitting gloves and pads for the shoulders, knees, elbows and shins. Parents and coaches should require that players wear safety gear whenever they are on the ice, the CDC advises.

The most common cause of injuries, however, is body checking, which can hurt players even if they are wearing safety gear. According to the CDC, body checking in some form is associated with 46 percent of all minor injuries and 75 percent of major injuries. Some youth leagues prohibit body checking, but parents should at least speak to their children's coaches about limiting the dangerous practice.

Parents should also get a physical examination for their child before the season begins, which may indicate special areas of risk. And they should make sure first aid equipment is always available at games and practices.

More information

Here's more from the American Academy of Pediatrics on body checking.