Concussions & Sports: Tips For Protecting Your Kids

safEAdm1in • November 7, 2024

The crisp fall air is back and if you’re from the South, you know this means football season! While we love watching sports andA young boy is throwing a football to his father.our kids love playing them, it’s important to remember how common sports-related injuries are so we can help keep our kids safe. Some injuries are obvious like a cut, or a broken bone, but concussions can be different. 

Oftentimes, especially in contact sports, concussions can happen when no one is paying attention. There’s so much going on during a game that it can be hard to see a concussion exactly when it occurs. This is why it’s important to not only understand the symptoms but also how the symptoms present. Early treatment is essential to recovery so while you might not be able to pinpoint the exact moment a concussion happened, you can observe changes in behavior and take action. 

First, know what the Concussion Symptoms Are:

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea 
  • Blurred Vision
  • Memory Issues

Then, notice how they show up:

  • Slow reaction times
  • New clumsiness
  • Complaints of pressure or aches in the head
  • Confused about simple questions
  • Sensitivity to light or noise

Next, it’s important to teach your children these symptoms too. Often kids will get so excited to play their favorite sport that they may not feel like telling anyone when they start to feel badly. Maybe a child is worried about being taken out of the game, or maybe they feel they need to power through. Reminding your child of the importance of alerting an adult when they feel these symptoms will better equip them to seek help if they need it. 

Finally, we encourage you to educate coaches and leaders on the symptoms of a concussion. Safety should be everyone’s priority and it takes community support and accountability to keep the game fun and lighthearted. Everyone benefits when we all look out for each other.

Do you have questions about the TBI Community? Follow us on Facebook for resources, updates, and community: https://www.facebook.com/jimmysimpsonfoundation

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