Safe Kids Week is a national awareness campaign by Parachute Canada, a charity dedicated to preventing injuries. This year the campaign’s theme is Concussion on the road, at home and at play.
Concussions is a type of head injury caused by a direct or indirect hit to the head or body. Children and youth are more at risk of having concussions and can take longer to recover. The symptoms are usually temporary but there can be long-lasting or permanent changes such as the way children talk, walk, learn, work and interact with others. The good news is that concussions are preventable! Here are just a few ideas to keep your children safe from concussions on the road, at home and at play.
On the Road
Summer is a perfect time to go on bike rides with your family. You may have heard that youth under 18 in Manitoba are required by law to wear a helmet while cycling. There’s a good reason for that. A bike helmet that fits properly and is worn correctly can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 80%! This summer, every time you and your family ride, remember to wear bike helmets.
At Home
The home is an ideal environment for children to explore and develop new skills. Falling is a normal part of development, but did you know that falls are one of the most common reasons children are hospitalized for concussions? To prevent concussions, it’s important to make sure the environment is safe and that someone is close by. To prevent serious falls, remember to use permanently-mounted gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
At Play
Sports are a great way for children to stay active. However, did you know that 40% of all head injuries in children aged 10-14 happen while playing sports? Parents and coaches have an important role to play in teaching and modelling the rules, respect in sport, and promoting a culture of safety. Teaching proper techniques and skills, like proper high kicks and heading the ball when close to other players in soccer, can also help to prevent concussions.
These are just a few ideas to keep youth safe from concussions this summer and all year! For more information on how to prevent, recognize, manage and track concussions, download the Concussion Ed mobile app at Parachute Canada, or talk to your health care provider.
References
- The Burden of Concussion Among Children and Youth in British Columbia
- I Cycle Safely Brochure
- Sports Manitoba
- Cusimano, M. D., Cho, N., Amin, K., Shirazi, M., McFaull, S. R., Do, M. T., & Russell, K. (2013). Mechanisms of team-sport-related brain injuries in children 5 to 19 years old: opportunities for prevention. PloS one, 8(3), e58868.
