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Home › Articles › Safety › Preventing Head Injuries

Preventing Head Injuries

Protect Your Child from Traumatic Brain Injury

By Teri Brown

Pages:  1  2  3  

  • Remember where your toddler's center of gravity is and pay careful attention when they're playing near steps or curbs.
  • Make sure your walker has a breaking system or is over 36 inches wide. This makes it wider than the average doorway.
  • Make sure your car seat is a good fit for your child.

As They Grow
When children become older, they become more aggressive in their play, and wheels of some type are introduced. According to Dr. Rocco Chiappini, the director of the Brain Injury center of Crotched Mountain, a nonprofit school, rehabilitation center and hospital in Greenfield, N.H., TBI is the leading cause of death and disability in children and young adults.

"The most common cause of TBI is motor vehicle accidents, which accounts for 50 percent of all TBI," Dr. Chiappini says. "This is followed by falls at 21 percent." This isn't surprising, considering the play children indulge in. Climbing, jumping and riding anything on wheels is all a part of their natural development.

"Parents should be aware of where their children are playing," Dr. Chiappini says. "Trampolines and some playground equipment are inherently dangerous. Parents should demand that their children wear helmets whenever they ride their bikes, even around their own neighborhoods. Children should wear helmets when playing sports such as hockey, skiing, snowboarding, etc."

Tips for Protecting Your Older Child from TBI
  • Always make sure your child wears a helmet when riding anything with wheels or playing a sport where they can go faster than they can run.
  • Use a booster seat when riding a car until your child is over 60 pounds. Chances for head injury for a young child are five times greater when they are not in a proper booster seat.
  • Always supervise your child when they are playing on a trampoline, or better yet, don't let your child play on one at all.

Facts on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  • TBI is the leading cause of death among your children and adults.
  • A recent study done by the Columbus Children's Research Institute at Columbus Children's Hospital identifies TBI as one of the top 10 most costly hospital inpatient diagnoses for children.
  • TBI costs for children are often greater than those for adults because they include acute treatment, long-term rehabilitation and loss of productivity for the parent or guardian.
  • TBI is often preventable by using helmets and proper child motor vehicle restraints.


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