PREVENTION IS KEY IN REDUCING SPORTSRELATED HEAD INJURIES

and fractures to more signi cant injuries such as head injuries that include mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussions. The latter results from a direct hit to the head or neck that causes the brain to move back and forth in the skull.

Safety precautions are instrumental in preventing or lessening head injuries from organized sports, casual sports like neighborhood play, and individual activities such as biking, skateboarding and roller sports.

You can help reduce the risk of your child suffering a head injury by following these easy safety tips.

 Always require your kids to wear helmets or appropriate head gear when:

 Riding a bike, skateboard or scooter

 Using in-line skates

 Batting and running the bases in baseball or softball

 Soft shell protective headgear for ag football.

 Participating in winter sports like skiing or snowboarding and even sledding

 Riding a horse

 Make sure your play areas are safe by removing any potential hazards.

 When participating in team sports, ensure that your children know the rules of the game and play with children of similar age, size and development level.

 Always have your children wear the right safety gear and equipment when playing a contact sport.

 Proper tting equipment is just as important. A batting helmet that is too loose or football helmet not contacting the skull properly could lead to injury.

It is not just the coach’s responsibility to spot a potential head injury, it is also every parent, referee and teammate’s as well!

It’s important to know that the method or severity of an injury does not correlate to the presence nor severity of a TBI or concussion.

If your child does sustain a head injury during play, watch for symptoms that include headaches, vision changes, nausea and/or vomiting, fatigue, balance problems, sensitivity to light or noise, numbness, changes in thinking, emotionality and disturbances in sleep. Have a low threshold if there are any concerns to have them evaluated by a medical professional immediately.

By following these simple guidelines, you can reduce head injuries and help your children to stay safe.