Prevention Strategies for Traumatic Brain Injuries

You won’t be able to completely prevent yourself or your child form suffering a traumatic brain injury but there are some steps you can take to minimize the risk.

A brain injury is caused by a bump or a blow to the head. Injuries range from mild head injuries such as concussions to traumatic brain injuries which range from mild to severe.

Tips to safeguard yourself or your family from brain injuries are provided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To minimize the chance of being in an accident which leads to a brain injury, you should.

IN A CAR

• Wear a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a car or truck;
• Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
• Make sure to always buckle your child into a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt. Make sure the restraint is appropriate to your child’s height, weight, and age.;
• Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

WEAR A HELMET

• Make sure to wear a helmet and make sure your children wear helmets when:
  • Riding a bike, a motorcycle, snowmobile, or ATV;
  • Playing in a fast-moving contact sport, such as football, ice hockey, or boxing;
  • Using a skateboard or rollerblading;
  • Playing as a batter in baseball or softball;
  • Riding a horse; or
  • Skiing or snowboarding.

IN THE HOME

• Avoid falls that can lead to head injuries in the home by:
  • Using a ladder, a step stool or a grab bar to reach objects on high shelves;
  • Fit handrails on stairways;
  • Fit window guards to prevent young children from falling out of open windows;
  • Use child safety gates at the top and bottom of flights of stairs when young children are in the house. The skulls of infants are soft and they are susceptible to brain injuries;
  • Remove tripping hazards such as small area rugs and electrical cords;
  • Bathrooms can present a slip and fall hazard. Make sure to use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on the floors of showers;
  • Place grab bars by the toilet and in the tub or shower;
  • Have regular vision checks. Poor vision can increase the risk of falling.

OUTSIDE

• Don’t let your child play on a playground unless it’s made of shock-absorbing material, such as rubber, hardwood, mulch, and sand.
• Always cross the road with your child and use crosswalks.

THE WARNING SIGNS

Here are some common symptoms of a brain injur (concussion). If you or a family member has a head injury and you notice any of the symptoms on the list, call your doctor right away. Describe the injury and symptoms, and ask if you should make an appointment to see your own doctor or another healthcare specialist.

The attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers have more than 45 years’ combined experience in representing people with brain injuries. Call us at 757.455.0077 for a free consultation.