For many, summer is a celebration of freedom and the return of warm weather. Children play outside, enjoying the sun and no school for three months. Unfortunately, this frolicking can turn deadly with one slip.

Approximately 475,000 children experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year. More than 30,000 of those result in permanent disability. While TBIs affect everyone, children, especially those age five and younger, are at a higher risk.

Most accidents occur during the summer months in the afternoon and early evening. As kids become more active, the chances of TBIs increase as well. Every day games, including basketball, soccer and tag, leave them vulnerable.

The violent jarring of the head causes concussions, a mild traumatic brain injury. Many young athletes experience these without understanding the risks and potential damage. In the past decade, concussions became more and more common every year.

With the NFL receiving attention for its settlement with retired players now suffering the long-term of effects of repeated head injuries, organizations are trying to educate players when they’re young to teach them safer practices as the game advances.

Parents- it’s important to know the symptoms and identify them in your children to provide the care they need as soon as possible. Not all blows to the head are cause for alarm, but they should be evaluated to make sure your child makes a swift and complete recovery.

References

Baylor. (2014). Summer increases risk of traumatic brain injury. [Link]

Doyle, K. (2014). For young athletes, more concussions reported. Reuters. [Link]

Hammond, J. (2014). Youth football clinics try a new angle to prevent concussions. NPR. [Link]

Swierzewski, S. (2011). Risk factors for TBI. Health Communities. [Link]