Brain Injury Prevention via The Brain Injury Association
Injury to the brain can happen in a split second, with symptoms lasting anywhere from a few minutes to a lifetime. Most brain injuries can be prevented by practicing some common prevention and safety techniques.
The Brain Injury Association of America offers the following tips:
• Always wear a bike helmet. Be a good example to your children. Biking incidents most often occur within five blocks of home.
• Brain injuries occur during a fall when the head hits the ground. All skaters, skateboarders, scooter riders, horseback riders, and other extreme sports athletes should wear appropriate helmets.
• Brain injury is the leading cause of death among children hit by cars. Always stop at the curb; wait for the bus at a safe place off of the road; walk facing traffic when there is no sidewalk; wear reflective clothing at night.
• Falls are the number one cause of brain injuries in all age groups. Check playground surfaces- look for loose surfaces including mulch, pea gravel, crushed stone; keep bathroom and kitchen floors dry; secure ladders before climbing; keep stairway well lit; secure throw rugs; remove or secure extension cords that cross walkways in the home.
• Concussions are the most common consequence of brain injury in contact sports. Make sure coaches know correct procedures for grading a possible concussion and have guidelines for removing a child from play.
• Children and adults are less likely to die or be severely injured in a crash when wearing a seatbelt. Children learn from parents, so always buckle up. Virginia has laws regarding safety belt use.
• Know the right car safety seat to use for your growing child. Expand / Collapse
• Keep firearms locked up and store bullets separately.
• Know the signs of intimate partner abuse. National Domestic Violence Hotline
