Brain Injury Can be Prevented!!
The Brain Injury Association of America defines a
traumatic brain injury (TBI) as an acquired brain
injury that is "caused by an external physical force
that may produce a diminished or altered state of
consciousness." The most common causes of TBI
are vehicle crashes, falls, sports injuries, and
violence.
Concussions are a form of a traumatic brain injury,
which accounts for 75% of ALL TBI's. The true
extent of brain injury is not conveyed by numbers.
Lives, hopes, dreams, families, and friendships are
often altered in the wake of a brain injury. Injury
prevention is one of the most significant health care
issues in the United States. Most brain injuries can
be prevented. Each year 50,000 persons die from
brain injuries and 80,000 to 90,000 people
experience long term disability.
The Brain Injury Association of Michigan strives to
further our mission of brain injury prevention
through community education and public awareness
campaigns. We offer fact sheets, which include up-
to-date statistics on topics such as bike safety,
falls, sports and recreation, violence, and
transportation safety, and recommendations on how
to prevent injuries from occurring. Unlike broken
bones that mend, or cut or scraped skin that grows
again, the brain cannot repair itself. It cannot grow
new brain cells, called neurons, once they are
damaged.
Help protect children from harm by following these
selected seasonal safety facts from the Brain Injury
Association of America's, Seasonal Brochures:
Winter
" Children are most commonly injured when the sled
hits something or gets out of control. Find hidden
dangers of rocks or tree stumps hidden under
snowy bumps by walking the slope with your child
before the first run.
" Playing hockey without a helmet is dangerous.
Blows from a puck or stick can injure a brain.
Require your child to wear a helmet at all times
when playing hockey. Check the effects of weather
conditions and temperatures on outdoor ice before
skating.
" Most skiers are hurt at the beginning and end of
the day. Arrange for lessons to help how to ski or
snowboard safely.
" Snowmobile riders are most often hurt by falling
off snowmobiles during collisions. Know with whom
your child is riding, their age, driving skills and
safety habits.
" Children using safety belts are less likely to die or
to be severely injured in a crash. Children learn
from their parents. You set the best example for
your child by always buckling upon every trip. Know
when to use a safety seat or booster seat for your
child.
Spring
" Bicycle incidents are most likely to occur within
five blocks of home. Teach by example. A bicycle
helmet is a necessity not an accessory.
" Baseball has the least amount of safety equipment
required of any youth sport. Check that your child's
baseball helmet meets standards of the national
Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic
Equipment. (NOCSAE)
" Falls are the most common cause of playground
injuries. Check the surface under playground
equipment. Avoid asphalt concrete, grass and soil
surfaces. Look for surfaces with shredded mulch,
pea gravel, crushed stone and other loose
surfaces.
" Two-thirds of all-terrain vehicle accidents have
involved children under 16 years old. Model safe
behavior by always wearing helmets with face
protection and protective clothing.
" Brain injuries occur when skaters fall and hit their
heads on the pavement.
Wear a helmet for protection against falls.
" Brain injury is the leading cause of death among
children hit by cars. Always stop at the curb or edge
of the road; never run into the street.
Summer
" Most children who survive drowning are found
within two minutes of being under water; most who
die are found after 10 minutes or longer. Always
supervise your child around water.
" Alcohol use is a leading factor in boating incidents
and deaths. Stop your child from riding in a boat
with anyone who has been drinking alcohol.
" A bicyclist who is wearing a helmet is less likely
to die, be seriously injured or become disabled if hit
by a car. Buy a helmet that meets the safety
standards of ANSI , Snell, or ASTM. Tighten chin
strap to keep helmets from slipping forward or
backward. Only two fingers should fit under the chin
strap Place the helmet directly over the forehead.
" Screens are designed to keep out bugs, not to
keep in children. Install child safety window guards.
Fall
" Concussion is the most common consequence of
brain injury in contact sports. Ask if coaches and
other staff know the correct procedures for grading
a possible concussion and have guidelines for
removing a child from the game.
" Injuries from soccer sharply increase at age 14
due to more aggressive play and the heavier weight
of players. Use the body and extremities, not the
head, to hit the ball.
" During horseback riding, the most serious injuries
are caused by being separated from the horse while
riding or by falling with the horse. Be a role model,
and always wear a riding helmet. Choose a horse
that matches your child's ability.
" Falls are the leading cause of injury on Halloween.
Use face paint or cosmetics instead of loose fitting
masks. Make costumes short enough to prevent
tripping.
" Most children that are hit and killed by cars are
playing in the street. Wait for the school bus in a
safe place off the road. Walk facing traffic if there is
no sidewalk.
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