Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can affect anyone, no matter the age, if the person has been struck with force to the head. In fact, TBIs are a common incident with approximately 1.7 million occurring in the United States each year. With that said, nearly 700,000 of these occur in adolescents and children under the age of 19. Common incidents that cause a TBI are falls, car accidents, abuse, or being struck by or against an object.
TBIs in children can be caused by a variety of activities, from a bicycle accident to a sporting injury to simply falling off a piece of furniture. And as parents/guardians, you want to protect your children as best you can, but it’s understandable that you can’t keep your eyes on the kids 24/7.
With that said, here are three tips on how to protect your children from running the risks of getting a traumatic brain injury.
Take proper safety measures
Be sure that your child is buckled up before hitting the road. Car collisions are a common way that many people get a TBI. By properly buckling up, you are limiting the chances of you and your child from being tossed out of the car.
As a driver, you should also not partake in texting and driving. Cell phones are the number one source of driver distraction and using a mobile device while driving is similar to having a blood-alcohol level at the legal limit of 0.08.
Helmets and other safety gear should also be required before your child goes trekking off on a bike with their buddies. Protection from the helmet can help prevent TBIs and gnarly scrapes that can be caused from a bike wreck.
Enhance the play area with safety equipment
Younger children typically have a designated area to play, crawl, and waddle around. It’s suggested that parents install some safety features around the play area, such as making sure the area is padded with a soft fabric and is gated off. Window guards and safety gates are also a great investment to keep your children safe around the house.
Prevent falls at home
Falls are a common danger that can result in a traumatic brain injury. You should consider installing handrails in bathrooms and on both sides of a stairway, removing tripping hazards, improving lighting, and placing non-slip mats in the bathtub or shower floor. It’s also advised that you make sure your child is getting routine eye exams. Poor eyesight can lead to falls and other accidents.
Traumatic brain injuries can be damaging to a person’s life and the family. There are ways to prevent or limit any risks of a TBI from occurring in your child. Please consider these tips in making sure your child is healthy and safe.
If you or a loved one receives a TBI as a result of someone else’s negligence, be sure to reach out to a West Virginia brain injury lawyer for legal help.