Everyone loves enjoying the summer months with outdoor activities, especially in places where winter is so cold! However, being outdoors can also pose safety hazards that should not be ignored. There is often a surge in personal injuries during the summer months as people are outside and more active. Following some basic safety tips may help to prevent many of these injuries.
Safety First to Prevent TBI
Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is one of the most devastating types of personal injury imaginable. When the brain is injured, the progression of the injury and the diagnosis is always unpredictable. Some people recover completely; others are left with a lifetime of disability or pain. TBIs can range from mild to severe in their initial impacts, and from short-term to long-term in their overall impacts to the victim’s life.
The best way to protect yourself against TBI is to prevent it in the first place. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are several things you can do to prevent a traumatic brain injury or make one less likely to happen, including:
- Use a helmet. Whether you are riding a motorcycle or a bicycle, an approved helmet can help lessen the trauma of a head injury in many cases. The CDC estimates that bike helmets alone could prevent up to 85 percent of serious brain injuries caused in bicycle accidents and that motorcycle helmets might prevent up to a third of serious TBIs. They further estimate that one fatal head injury per day and fifteen non-fatal head injuries every hour could be prevented by wearing helmets. Make sure both you and your children wear the appropriate headgear at all times when biking.
- Do not dive in less than 12 feet of water. Many diving accidents result from miscalculating the depth of water, which is easy to do when looking into a pool or lake. Only dive in clearly marked areas and then only with others–never alone. Instead of diving, opt to jump into the water feet first when possible.
- Watch where you are going. A surprising number of TBIs occur from simple falls. If you skateboard, rollerblade, jog or even walk on uneven surfaces, be sure to keep your eyes out for cracks and bumps and try to avoid them. Pay attention to your surroundings and try to avoid falls whenever possible. Never run on slippery surfaces or walk on wet sidewalks or concrete, or in areas marked with “wet floor” signs. Be careful going up and down stairs, as well, and keep stairways clear of objects and tripping hazards.
- Wear your seatbelt. Your seatbelt, in conjunction with airbags, is your best defense against a TBI in a car accident. Vehicle crashes are still a leading cause of TBI, so buckling up lowers your chances of suffering this type of injury if you are involved in an accident.
Following these simple rules can greatly reduce your chance of being injured, but if you are hurt and need help, Barber & Associates is here for you! Give us a call to discuss your case and find out what we can do to help you get the compensation you deserve.