Preventing TBI

Automobiles should have good crash test ratings, and should be in good repair. Because SUV rollovers cause a large number of traumatic brain injury every year, it’s particularly important to check ratings of SUVs. Make sure that tires are not worn, and replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

 

Do not exceed the speed limit, follow all traffic safety precautions, and adjust your speed on wet or icy roads.

 

Finally, make sure that children are properly restrained. Infants should ride in a rear-facing car seat, while older children should be in safety and booster seats that meet their height and weight requirements. Because airbag deployment can cause significant injury, children should never ride in the front seat.

 

 

Sports-related injuries are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injury. While injuries go hand-in-hand with sports, in many cases you can protect yourself and your loved ones from traumatic brain injury.

 

The best way to prevent sports-related injuries is to make sure that the proper protective equipment is always worn. An ASTM-certified helmet should be worn for contact sports such as football, hockey, and lacrosse, as well as for other risky sports such as biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, and horseback riding. Because impact can ruin the integrity of a helmet, helmets that have been in accidents should be immediately replaced, even if no damage is visible to the naked eye.

 

 

Fun can quickly go wrong when a participant sustains a traumatic brain injury. Safety precautions and rules can ensure that you and your loved ones enjoy your recreation as safely as possible.

 

Playground equipment should be in good repair, and should be placed on a surface that softens the landing impact. If you notice that playground equipment is broken or outdated, do not allow children to play on it.

 

Trampolines should be placed on level ground, and should be fitted with protective netting. In addition, no more than one person should jump on the trampoline at a time, and sessions should only be held under adult supervision.

 

ATVs should never be used by children, and should always be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to speed and terrain. A helmet and other protective gear should be worn.

 

Finally, swimming pools should be surrounded by a fence to prevent young children from drowning. Pools at homes with young children should also be fitted with an alarm that goes off if a child enters the water. Children should never be allowed to swim unattended, and parents and lifeguards should know CPR.

 

 

Choking can cause anoxic brain damage, which results from lack of oxygen to the brain. Kids under three should avoid certain foods like hot dogs and grapes, and should not play with toys that have small, removable parts. Equipment geared toward children under the age of three must meet certain standards. If you are using equipment that has been handed down, it’s always a good idea to check whether the item been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. You can find a list of recalled toys and equipment at www.cpsc.gov.

 

Since window treatment and blind cords are a common cause of strangulation in children, homes with blinds should be adequately childproofed. You can buy simple devices that ensure these cords do not pose a hazard at hardware stores and children’s stores.