If you have a child who is active in sports and recreation at school, preventing concussions starts at home. Although it’s impossible to protect your children 100% of the time in high school sports and other situations, there are many steps you can take to ensure your child is as protected as possible. The following tips have been provided by the CDC for concussion prevention in school-age children:
- Safety gear – Make sure your kid has the right protective gear for the specific activity they are engaged in, including helmets, knee or elbow pads, and wrist guards.
- Use the right equipment – If the safety gear is in bad condition or worn down, it won’t protect your child nearly as well in the event of an injury. Also, make sure the safety equipment is worn correctly at all times.
- Practice – The adage “practice makes perfect” also goes for concussion prevention. Make sure your kids learn and consistently practice the skills they need for their particular activity. For example, knowing how to tackle someone safely is key to prevent injuries in football, and knowing how to slide and run properly can prevent injuries during baseball, softball, and many other sports.
- Be a good model – If you communicate positive safety messages as a parent, and model these safe behaviors yourself, your kids are more likely to take recreational safety seriously.
If your child has suffered a concussion in high school sports or another school activity, you may be entitled to compensation. Please contact Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Washington D.C. brain injury attorney.
