Brain injury is a common problem with young children, but a problem that can be avoided with a few preventative measures from parents. Brain injuries can be caused by trampoline accidents when children land on their head or neck, sports injuries are another common area that can result in brain injury and brain injuries among the skateboarding community are also very common.
Many of these injuries can be prevented if parents to make sure
their child wears a helmet anytime they are riding their bicycle, a skateboard
or scooter and when skiing – water or snow. Avoiding pediatric brain injury can
be done by making sure your baby or toddler is in the right car seat, booster
seat or other appropriate child restraints for your child’s age, height and
weight.
Getting your child or teenager to wear a helmet when it just isn’t
“cool” can be a real challenge. One way to make it work is to show them the
professional athletes who are wearing helmets doing the same activities your
child loves to do – cycling, skateboarding and even skiing.
Even the smallest accident that involves a head injury can cause
irreparable brain damage. Be sure to follow the same safety measures on a daily
basis – no bicycling or skateboarding without a helmet and never go on a car
ride without buckling up. Place infant seats, booster seats and other small
child restraints in the back seat where they are safe from the air bags should
they be deployed. Finally, lead by example.
If you are
on a family bike ride, be sure to wear your helmet and ever ride in the car without
your seatbelts properly buckled.
