Traumatic Brain Injury Prevention
Falls and motor vehicle crashes are the most common causes of brain injury in school-age children. However, participation in sports frequently results in brain injury, primarily concussion. There are many ways to reduce the chances that you or your child will sustain a brain injury or concussion. For example...
In a vehicle:
• Ensure your child wears seatbelt when riding in a motor vehicle.
• At all times, use a car seat or booster for children less than 8 years old.
• Never ride with someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
During play or sports:
• Wear a helmet when riding any kind of bike, scooter, skateboard or all-terrain vehicle.
• During athletic games and practices, make sure your child uses correct protective equipment and follows safety rules of sport.
• Do not return to play with a known or suspected concussion until you have been evaluated and given permission by an appropriate health care professional.
• Make sure the surface on your child’s playground is appropriate and maintained.
At home:
• Install window guards to keep young children from falling out of open windows.
• Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
• Keep stairs clear of clutter.
• Secure rugs and use rubber mats in bathtubs and never leave child unattended.
Resources: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.childrensnational.org/files/PDF
Will there be a new bike for your student in your child's future? In North Carolina, children under 16 years old are required to wear an approved bicycle helmet when operating a bicycle on any public road, bicycle path, or other right of way. Any parent or legal guardian who allows a child to ride without a helmet will be in violation of the law and could be fined. The purpose of the Child Bicycle Safety Act is to reduce the number of brain injuries and deaths from bicycle crashes. According to the NC Department of Transportation, studies show that 60% of head injury deaths and 85% of head injuries can be prevented by wearing a properly fitted bicycle helmet. For more information bicycle helmets, and where to get one, visit the NCDOT site:
http://www.ncdot.gov/bikeped/download/bikeped_safety_factsheethelmet.pdf or visit http://www.helmetsonheads.org/
Falls and motor vehicle crashes are the most common causes of brain injury in school-age children. However, participation in sports frequently results in brain injury, primarily concussion. There are many ways to reduce the chances that you or your child will sustain a brain injury or concussion. For example...
In a vehicle:
• Ensure your child wears seatbelt when riding in a motor vehicle.
• At all times, use a car seat or booster for children less than 8 years old.
• Never ride with someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
During play or sports:
• Wear a helmet when riding any kind of bike, scooter, skateboard or all-terrain vehicle.
• During athletic games and practices, make sure your child uses correct protective equipment and follows safety rules of sport.
• Do not return to play with a known or suspected concussion until you have been evaluated and given permission by an appropriate health care professional.
• Make sure the surface on your child’s playground is appropriate and maintained.
At home:
• Install window guards to keep young children from falling out of open windows.
• Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
• Keep stairs clear of clutter.
• Secure rugs and use rubber mats in bathtubs and never leave child unattended.
Resources: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.childrensnational.org/files/PDF
Will there be a new bike for your student in your child's future? In North Carolina, children under 16 years old are required to wear an approved bicycle helmet when operating a bicycle on any public road, bicycle path, or other right of way. Any parent or legal guardian who allows a child to ride without a helmet will be in violation of the law and could be fined. The purpose of the Child Bicycle Safety Act is to reduce the number of brain injuries and deaths from bicycle crashes. According to the NC Department of Transportation, studies show that 60% of head injury deaths and 85% of head injuries can be prevented by wearing a properly fitted bicycle helmet. For more information bicycle helmets, and where to get one, visit the NCDOT site:
http://www.ncdot.gov/bikeped/download/bikeped_safety_factsheethelmet.pdf or visit http://www.helmetsonheads.org/