Top safety tips to avoid traumatic brain injuries from a pediatric neurotrauma surgeon

Traumatic brain injuries or TBIs are mild to severe injuries that affect the brain and lead to physical, behavioral, and cognitive problems. In this blog, Laurie L. Ackerman, MD, one of our expert pediatric neurotrauma surgeons at Riley Children’s Health, shares her Top 5 tips to help parents protect children from TBIs.

1. Buckle up for car rides. Always use the proper car seat or booster seat for your child’s age, height, and weight. Make sure it is installed correctly and that your child is buckled in safely. Want to make sure your child is in the right car seat and using it properly? Find a car seat safely check location near you.
2. Always wear a helmet for safety. Be a role model. Everyone should wear helmets that fit properly when they ride bikes, skateboards, scooters, or while doing any other activity that could lead to a head injury. Helmet size is based on head size, not age. Learn how to choose a helmet that fits properly from The Indiana University School of Medicine Safety Store. They have a variety of low-cost helmet options for both children and adults that are approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
3. Make your home safe for kids. Install safety gates on stairs, use window guards, and make sure heavy furniture is secure to help prevent injuries at home. Always supervise your child closely, especially babies and toddlers. Do not leave them alone on high places like beds, counters, or couches where they might fall and get hurt.
4. Choose a safe playground: When you go to the playground for fun and exercise, choose one that has soft impact-absorbing surfaces like rubber, mulch, or wood chips. These materials can cushion a child’s fall and help prevent injuries.
5. Understand Abusive Head Trauma, formerly known as Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS): Shaking babies is dangerous. It can damage a developing baby’s brain and even result in death. Never shake a baby when you are overwhelmed. If you are feeling frustrated it is okay to set your baby down in a safe space, like a crib or bassinet, and walk away to have time to breathe and calm down.

It’s not possible to eliminate every risk, but by trying these safety tips, you can reduce your child’s chance of a fall or accident causing TBI. Interested in learning more about concussion basics, and the signs and symptoms related to head injuries? Visit Heads Up from the Center for Disease Control for more information.

If your child does experience TBI symptoms from a bump to the head—such as dizziness, headache, or nauseousness—peace of mind comes from knowing that Riley Children’s is Indiana’s only comprehensive traumatic brain injury and concussion program with services for children experiencing all forms of neurotrauma.

This information was provided by a pediatric neurotrauma surgeon part of Indiana’s longest-standing Level I Pediatric Trauma Center at Riley Hospital for Children in downtown Indianapolis.