As children develop into teenagers, they develop more independence. Unfortunately, they sometimes lack the experience to respond appropriately to situations that put them at risk for injury. The following are common injuries and ways to prevent them.
Falls
Serious injury, including life threatening head injury, is associated with falling. Activities like roller skating, skiing, snowboarding, cycling, and skateboarding have a substantial risk of causing a fall. Teens need to wear protective equipment, including a helmet, when they participate in these activities, and all of the gear they use for these activities should be appropriate for their size and skill level.
Drowning
Swimming in open water like lakes and rivers poses hazards that might not be obvious. Teens should always swim with someone else present, and it’s important to use a personal floatation device when they are swimming or boating. Swimming lessons are an important part of drowning prevention. Teens can drown from cramping up in cold water and not being able to swim, so it’s important that they always be cautions, no matter how strong of a swimmer they are.
Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Accidents
Proper restraints are essential to protection of the occupants of a vehicle during a crash, and teens should wear their seatbelts every time they ride in a vehicle. Teenagers should receive ample education and practice to get them ready to drive safely. Teens need to know that they should never drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and they should avoid driving while distracted by texting, talking on the phone, or by other passengers. Since collisions involving motorcycles often have more serious injuries, it’s important to talk to an Alex and Associates motorcycle accident attorney if your teen is injured.
Firearms
Guns are a common method of committing suicide among teens, and accidents can occur due to curiosity or lack of gun safety knowledge and training. To keep teens safe, keep firearms locked, unloaded, and away from their ammunition. As with substance use, watch for the signs of depressions or other mental health issues.
Sports Injuries
Participating in sports can cause many different injuries among teens. Traumatic brain injuries are a serious injury caused by a blow to the head or a body blow that shakes the head. When playing sports, teens should wear the appropriate gear for the activity, and health care professionals should evaluate any teen who experiences a hit to the head and are displaying the signs of a head injury. Symptoms include headache, memory issues, trouble concentrating, confusion, loss of coordination, and nausea.
Many of the injuries sustained by teens can be avoided with proper precautions and education. Parents should talk to their teens about safety and make sure they understand the possible consequences of not following through with precautions.
