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Protect Your Head: Tips for Preventing Brain Injuries

Posted by Robert T. Karns | Aug 07, 2014 | 0 Comments

As prevention is the only cure for traumatic brain injury, it is important to protect your head to prevent traumatic brain injury.

Fall Protection

Young Children - Children under 9 commonly suffer falls at home and at playgrounds causing traumatic brain injury. Some prevention tips:

  • Supervision of young children
  • Home safety improvements such as guards on windows, stair gates on stairs and screens around fireplaces.
  • Inspect playground areas to make certain the equipment is properly maintained and there are soft landing surfaces below the playground equipment such sand or wood chips.
  • Young children riding bicycles or using roller skates or skateboards should always wear a helmet.

Older Adults - Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths and hospitalization among adults 65 and older. Some prevention tips:

  • Remove items from the home that can be tripped over.
  • Install grab bars next to the toilet, tub or shower and non slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.
  • Improve lighting in the home.
  • Put handrails and lights in all staircases.
  • Wear shoes inside and outside the house. Avoid wearing loose slippers.
  • Avoid medications causing sleepiness or dizziness.
  • Eyes should be checked once a year.
  • Begin an exercise program as physical activity and strength helps prevent falls.

Motor Vehicle Safety

Other than driving safely, certain strategy should be used:

  • Safety belts should be worn.
  • Vehicles should have frontal and side airbags.
  • Avoid loose objects in the vehicle that can fly around during an accident.
  • Children should always be in properly inspected car safety seats.

Pedestrian Safety

When a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle there is a good chance a traumatic brain injury will occur. Safety tips are:

  • Obey all traffic signs and signals.
  • Stop and look left, right and left again before entering a roadway.
  • Never run across the street.
  • Always use a crosswalk or corner.
  • Always walk on the sidewalk.
  • Make eye contact with all drivers that are stopped.

Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention

Shaking a baby can cause a traumatic brain injury. These types of injuries are usually a result of abuse when a parent or caregiver is frustrated when a baby will not stop crying. These are tips:

  • If the baby is crying check to make certain the child is not hungry, hot or cold, or sick or that the diaper does not need to be changed.
  • If the baby continues to cry try rocking the baby, rubbing their back, singing or taking them for a walk in a stroller.
  • When the caregiver feels overwhelmed place the baby in a safe place such as a crib.

Sports and Recreation

Helmets or headgear should be worn while participating in:

  • Baseball and softball (when batting)
  • Cycling
  • Football
  • Hockey
  • Horseback riding
  • Powered recreational vehicles
  • Skateboards and scooters
  • Skiing
  • Wrestling
  • Soccer - Helmets are not usually worn, but concussions can occur and the player should be removed.

About the Author

Robert T. Karns

Founding Attorney

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