Preventing Childhood Head Injuries There is no way to prevent your child from ever having a head injury. But you can reduce the risk. These tips can help: ●
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Look around your home for things that may cause fall injuries. Don’t use throw rugs that can slip. Do not let electrical cords lay across walking areas. If you have toddlers, put child gates at the top of stairs. Use rubber mats in bathtubs and showers to prevent slipping. Never leave a baby or infant alone on top of something, like a bed, changing table or counter. Babies and infants wiggle around a lot and can easily fall off. Never leave a baby or infant in a shopping cart and walk away. It is too easy for them to wiggle out of the cart. Keep rails up on a crib. When your child can stand up in the crib, lower the mattress so he or she cannot crawl out and over the rails. Buy your child a helmet, and insist he or she wears it when bike riding, skating, skateboarding, snowboarding, wrestling, boxing, riding on or driving an ATV or motorcycle or during any other similar type activity. Follow the guidelines about using car seats for children. Always buckle older children in, when they ride in a car. Teach them to buckle up themselves when you are not with them. Teach your child to use crosswalks when crossing the street and to look both ways before crossing. Teach him or her to wait for the “pedestrian” walk light before crossing. Stay outside with younger children who might go near the street. Children learn by example, so make sure you use a helmet if you are out riding a bike. Use your seatbelt while riding in a car too.
©2006-13 P&H Assoc., Inc This handout is for information only and is not meant to replace your doctors advice or treatment.
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