Preventing Brain Injury

Most traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are preventable.

Someone in the U.S. sustains a TBI every 23 seconds. While most of these injuries occur among children, adolescents, young adults, and people over the age of 75, males who are 14 to 24 years old are at the greatest risk.

People who already have a TBI are also at a greater risk for sustaining another brain injury.

How can you prevent a brain injury?

• Use seatbelts. Everyone in a vehicle should wear seat belt. Children under 12 should always sit in the back seat. Infants, toddlers and children – according to their weight – should use child safety seats or booster seats.
• Wear bike helmets. When worn correctly, bike helmets are 85% effective in preventing brain injuries.
• Protect playground surfaces. There should be at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel, or safety-tested rubber mats that extend six feet in all directions from the equipment.
• Use mouth guards and helmets during sports and recreational activities. Mouth guards can help cushion a blow to the lower jaw and lessen the chance for a concussion. Sports helmets protect your head from equipment, collisions with other players, and falls.
• Lock firearms away and use gunlocks. Approximately 91% of firearm-related brain injuries result in death.
• Avoid falls. Using stepstools, handrails, safety gates on stairs, or window guards can prevent people from falling.