How to Protect Your Kids from Winter Sports Head Injuries

Winter is a great time for outdoor fun if you don’t mind a bit of cold. But those who participate in winter sports like ice hockey, snowboarding, skiing, and ice skating must stay vigilant.

As the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website explains: “there are risks to pushing the limits of speed, strength, and endurance. And athletes who push the limits sometimes don’t recognize their own limitations—especially when they’ve had a concussion… a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body.”

Prevent your children from suffering such injuries:

• Make sure your child has the necessary safety gear for his or her sport of choice. Helmets can prevent or mitigate head injuries. Make sure your child’s helmet is in good shape and doesn’t show any signs of cracking.
• Ensure that all safety equipment fits properly. Safety gear only works when used correctly. Re-check older gear every winter.
• Keep your child in settings that correspond to his or her ability level. If your child is a new skier, keep her on the bunny slopes until his or her skills improve, and she can take runs on more advanced slopes. If your children play contact sports, put them on teams or in leagues appropriate for their ages and sizes.
• Be especially wary of ice. If your child skates, be sure the ice is stable and thick enough to handle her weight. Choose indoor skating options if possible, since they tend to be safer than unpredictable frozen lakes or ponds.

A head injury or traumatic brain injury can cause severe health problems, and can sometimes be permanently disabling or fatal. If your high school or college age child athlete recently got hurt, contact our D.C. brain injury attorneys for a free consultation about your options to obtain compensation for medical bills.

Being a parent in today’s society unfortunately requires constant vigilance. If you have younger kids, peruse this essential list 6 Kids Toys Recalled in 2016.