Summer is in full swing, and that means more time playing outside and having fun. It also means that head injuries are more likely as we spend more time at the lake, riding our bikes or driving across the country. Head injuries and TBIs are not completely preventable, but there are a number of ways you can reduce your risk of a head injury this season. We share five ways to reduce your risk of a summer head injury in today’s blog.
Summer Head Injury Protection
We’ll help treat your concussion or traumatic brain injury symptoms, but we hope we never need to see you in our office. Here are five tips for reducing your risk of suffering a severe head injury this summer.
1. Wear a Helmet – We actually touched on this point as a stand alone blog last month, but it bears repeating. Make sure you wear a helmet when you’re riding a bicycle, ATV, motorcycle, scooter, hover board, roller blades or any other wheeled vehicle that you can fall off. Helmets can prevent deadly head injuries and greatly reduce the effects of a minor or mild head injury. Even if you’re the best driver or rider, make the smart decision to always wear a helmet when you’re on wheels.
2. Buckle Up – Along a similar vein, always make sure to wear your seat belt when you’re in the car. Summer weather means we’re traveling at faster speeds and with more cars on the highway, which can be a recipe for accidents. The time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is the deadliest stretch of time on the roads in Minnesota, so buckle up to protect your head and prevent yourself from becoming another statistic.
3. Wear A Lifejacket – If you’re going to be on the water, make sure you wear a lifejacket. If you’re waterskiing, wakeboarding or riding in an inter tube, you need to wear a lifejacket. Not only is it required by law, but it can make all the difference in the event your head hits the water and you lose consciousness. Keeping you above water and breathing air can make a significant difference in your prognosis if you lose consciousness on the water.
4. Know Your Limits – No matter what activity you’re doing this summer, make sure you know your limits. Avoid risky behaviors like cliff diving or jumping head first into a body of water without knowing its depth. Also maintain safe speeds and follow traffic regulations when on bike or ATV. You may have the right of way, but you’re going to take the worst of it if you get in a collision. Know your limits and make safe choices throughout the summer.
5. Early Intervention – Although this is more of a tip for what to do after a head injury, it’s worth including. If you or a family member suffers a head injury, know the signs of a concussion and what to do next. The earlier you seek treatment, the better the outcomes tend to be. Take the necessary time off from physical activity to give your head the time it needs to heal.
For more tips or help with your head injury, reach out to Dr. Chang’s office today.