In recognition of Sports and Recreation Safety month, McLeod Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal offers the following sports safety basics to help prevent future accidents.

A bump, blow or jolt to the head can cause a concussion, a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Concussions can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. What seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.

About 90 percent of concussions occur without the loss of consciousness, so knowing the signs and symptoms of a concussion is crucial for parents.

Safety Tips

To help your child prevent a concussion, ensure that they follow their coach’s rules for safety as well as the rules of the sport.

Encourage your child to practice good sportsmanship at all times, and make sure they wear the right protective equipment for their activity, such as helmets, padding, shin guards, and eye and mouth guards. Protective equipment should fit properly, be well maintained and be worn consistently and correctly.

It is also important for parents to learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion, which can include headaches, or "pressure" in the head, nausea or vomiting, balance problems or dizziness, or sensitivity to light and noise.
Other symptoms your child may display include: answering questions slowly; appearing dazed or stunned; being unsure of the game, score or opponent; or moving clumsily.

If you suspect your child has had a concussion, take him out of the game until cleared by a physician.

About McLeod Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal

For more information on preventing childhood injury, please call McLeod Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal at (843) 777-5021 to speak to an Injury Prevention Specialist. You can also visit www.McLeodSafeKids.org, or find us on Facebook under McLeod Safe Kids.

Funded in part by the McLeod Health Foundation, McLeod Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading cause of death in children 14 and under.