Some Tips To Help Prevent Traumatic Brain Injuries

healyscanlonveugelergannon • April 28, 2021

According to the CDC – around 165 Americans die each day due to traumatic brain injuries. These injuries can be caused by a blow or penetrating injury to the head. Traumatic Brain Injury is a significant cause of death and disability in the United States – contributing to around 30% of all injury deaths. Those who survive TBI commonly face effects lasting a few days to disabilities that can last for the rest of their lives. The risk of death from an injury doubles following a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.

TBI can cause impaired thinking, memory, or movement and can cause emotional changes like personality changes and / or depression. Common causes of TBI include falls, being struck by an object, motor vehicle collisions and crashes, suicides and falls from high places. People tragically die each year while cleaning gutters and performing DYI tree trimming, etc. Preventing older adult falls, improving safe play in sports, and increasing motor vehicle safety can help reduce Traumatic Brain Injury.

Older adults are most at risk for TBI, specifically those who were 75 years of age and older.

Here are some steps that older adults can take to prevent falls and TBI

Adding grab bars inside and outside your tub or shower and next to the toilet
Avoid cleaning your homes gutters
Avoid cutting and trimming trees
Avoid climbing on ladders
Do strength and balance exercises
Getting rid of things you can trip over
Have your eyes checked
Making sure your home has lots of lights and is well lit
Putting railings on both sides of stairs

Improve Sports Safety

Learn about basic concussion safety – children can learn the benefits of playing safe. Prevention and awareness can help create a culture of concussion safety within your community. Adults and children should wear a helmet and protective gear when participating in sports and recreational activities.

Get concussion information to every coach and team
Model, expect, and reinforce safe play
Talk to young athletes about concussion safety

Increasing Motor Vehicle Safety

Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of TBI-related deaths for youth and young adults. Everyone can improve motor vehicle safety by using seat belts for every trip, make sure all passengers are buckled, use appropriate car seats, booster seats, and seat belts. Lastly, choose not to drive after drinking alcohol and / or drugs and helping others do the same.

Americans have added many safety protocols over the years to help reduce the number of TBI injuries. Commonly people ride a bicycle with a helmet, we make sure to use seatbelts when riding in motor vehicles, and most recently we have made improvements to sporting equipment like football helmets.

Reduce your risk of a traumatic brain injury by following these tips:

Don’t drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Don’t text or use a cell phone while driving
Prevent falls at home
Prevent head injuries in children
Wear a helmet (ALWAYS)
Wear your seat belt (ALWAYS)

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a traumatic brain injury due to the negligence of others – contact a personal injury lawyer at Healy Scanlon to help you get the compensation you deserve.

The post Some Tips To Help Prevent Traumatic Brain Injuries appeared first on Healy Scanlon Veugeler Gannon.

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