WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS

AWARENESS MONTH

March is the National Month of Awareness for Brain Injury.

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WHO GETS TBI'S

The Top Causes of TBI's are:

• Falls by the elderly

• Auto accidents 

• Being stuck by an object

• Athletic events

HOW TO PREVENT TBI'S

• Wearing a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle.

• Never driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Wearing a helmet and making sure your children wear helmets when:

Riding a bike, motorcycle, snowmobile, scooter, or all-terrain vehicle; Playing a contact sport, such as football, ice hockey, or boxing; Using in-line skates or riding a skateboard; Batting and running bases in baseball or softball;

Riding a horse; or Skiing or snowboarding.

• Making living areas safer for seniors, by:

Removing tripping hazards such as throw rugs and clutter in walkways; Using nonslip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors; Installing grab bars next to the toilet and in the tub or shower; Installing handrails on both sides of stairways; Improving lighting throughout the home; and Maintaining a regular physical activity program, if your doctor agrees, to improve lower body strength and balance.

• Making living areas safer for children, by:

Installing window guards to keep young children from falling out of open windows; and Using safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs when young children are around.

• Making sure the surface on your child's playground is made of shock-absorbing material, such as hardwood mulch or sand.

 JO, J. (2016, January 22). Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/prevention.html