Heads Up for Safety: Tips for Brain Injury Awareness Month

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month.

Led by organizations like the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), Brain Injury Awareness Month highlights the impact of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and the importance of prevention, education, and support.

A TBI occurs when a sudden impact damages the brain and disrupts normal brain function.

Caused by a fall, bump, or jolt to the head, TBIs can happen to anyone.

TBIs range from mild concussions to serious injuries that can affect thinking, balance, and emotions.

The effects of TBIs can be temporary, but they can also lead to permanent disabilities or even death. 

Millions of people in the United States live with the long-term effects of brain injury.

Prevention Makes a Difference

While accidents do happen, we can prevent many TBIs by taking the proper precautions.

For example, helmets significantly reduce the risk of serious head injury.

You should always wear a helmet when biking, skiing, skating, riding motorcycles, or playing contact sports.

Additional TBI prevention tips include:

• Buckle up! Seatbelts save lives (and brains).
• Use age- and size-appropriate car seats and booster seats for children.
• Keep falls prevention measures in mind at home and work. Remove tripping hazards, always use handrails, and wear proper footwear.

HEADS UP: Using your head to protect your brain

When it comes to brain injuries, education and support are essential.

Brain injury education helps families, coaches, and athletes recognize concussion symptoms early and respond appropriately.

Our Injury Prevention Program encourages all groups, especially those involved with youth sports teams or camps, to consider taking part in the CDC's HEADS UP program.

HEADS UP offers free, evidence-based resources for families, coaches, and schools to help prevent, recognize, and manage concussions safely.

HEADS UP is free – and everyone benefits when more people know how to prevent and respond to brain injuries.

Sharon Gannon, RN, South Shore Health Trauma Program Injury Prevention Coordinator, authored this blog.

Our Injury Prevention Program regularly shares safety tips on the South Shore Health blog.

In addition, we offer regular Stop the Bleed® classes for the community.

Learn more about our Injury Prevention Program.