Avoiding Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (often referred to as TBI) is an injury to the head that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain. According to a recently released study by the Utah Department of Health, each month 174 Utahn’s will suffer life-altering injuries to the brain. While severity and outcomes vary widely, TBI can affect a person’s thinking, language, memory, learning, emotions, and behavior. Even a concussion, mistakenly believed by some to be insignificant, can result in serious and permanent impairment. Some injuries can be foreseen and prevented. Much of the following advice is simple common sense. It is surprising, however, how often all of us led our guard down and act in ways that are unsafe. These 10 tips may help you or your children avoid a traumatic brain injury:
1. Always wear a seatbelt.
2. Always buckle your child into the appropriate safety seat, booster seat or seatbelt, even for very short trips. If you are unsure what type of seat to use for your child’s age and weight, check out the safety seat guide at www.usasafekids.org.
3. Don’t drive drunk, drugged, or drowsy.
4. Wear a helmet on every motorcycle, snowmobile and ATV ride, as well as for all sports that pose a risk of head injury such as football, baseball, bicycling, skateboarding, hockey, and other such activities.
5. Check for tripping hazards around the house: loose carpet, rugs, slippery surfaces, missing handrails, and electrical cords are just some of the things that can cause dangerous falls.
6. Store firearms locked and unloaded with the ammunition in a separate secure area.
7. Use nightlights in bedrooms, hallways, and bathrooms.
8. Use a sturdy ladder or stepstool to reach overhead items.
9. Take extra care when taking medications and look for side effects that may cause dizziness or otherwise increase the risk of falling. Check the medication of older adults for the same.
10. For older adults, install grab bars in the bath and shower areas and next to the toilet.
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