Preventing head injuries in childrenDescriptionAlthough no child is injury-proof, parents can take simple steps to keep their children from getting head injuries. Alternative NamesConcussion - preventing in children; Traumatic brain injury - preventing in children; TBI - children; Safety - preventing head injury Car SafetyYour child should wear a seatbelt at all times when they are in a car or other motor vehicle.
DO NOT drive with a child in your car when you have been drinking alcohol, used illegal drugs, or are feeling very tired. Wearing a HelmetHelmets help to prevent head injuries. Your child should wear a helmet that fits properly for the following sports or activities:
Your local sporting goods store, sports facility, or bike shop will be able to help make certain the helmet fits properly. You can also contact the American League of Bicyclists -- www.bikeleague.org. Almost all major medical organizations recommend against boxing of any sort, even with a helmet. Older children should always wear a helmet when riding a snowmobile, motorcycle, scooter, or all-terrain vehicle (ATV). If possible, children should not ride on these vehicles. After having a concussion or mild head injury, your child may need a helmet. Always talk with your provider about when to return to activities. Keeping Your Child Safe in the HomeInstall window guards on all windows that can be opened. Use a safety gate at the top and the bottom of stairs until your child can safely go up and down. Keep stairs free of any clutter. DO NOT let your children play on stairs or jump on or from furniture. DO NOT leave a young infant alone on a high place such as a bed or sofa. When using a high chair, make sure your child is strapped in with the safety harness. Store all firearms and bullets in a locked cabinet. Outdoor SafetyMake sure playground surfaces are safe. They should be made of shock-absorbing material, such as rubber mulch. Keep your children away from trampolines, if possible. Bed SafetySome simple steps can keep your child safe in bed:
ReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention website. Brain injury basics. www.cdc.gov/headsup/basics/index.html. Updated February 16, 2015. Accessed October 25, 2016. Krach LE. Severe traumatic brain injury. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 710. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. Child safety at parents central: How to find the right car seat. www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats#35091. Accessed October 25, 2016.
Review Date:
8/31/2016 Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 03-27-18. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-
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