Do fireworks affect brain injuries? What about roller coasters, trampolines and water sports? Are some summertime activities more problematic for people recovering from concussions? Are there summer activities that put us at higher risks for traumatic brain injuries?
While June is designated National Safety Month, keeping an eye out for concussion is important all year long, and especially during summer activities. As a recent Forbes article points out, kids in particular are at increased risk for fall-related injuries during summer, like concussions, as they play outside more. (We find that adults tend to be more active outside in the warm weather too, for that matter.) Proactive safety measures in our homes, recreational spaces, workplaces, neighborhoods and communities can help prevent head injuries. With that in mind, let’s all do our part to prevent accidents and avoid serious injuries while we enjoy all those backyard barbecues and leisure time spent swimming, biking and playing sports this holiday weekend, and throughout the summer.
Do Fireworks Affect Head Injuries? Here’s What the Stats and Facts Tell Us
For many people, fireworks add an extra dimension of delight to our special occasions. And what would July 4th be without them? Let’s all be sure to play it safe around summer pyrotechnics, though.
In a June 2019 Fireworks Annual Report, the Consumer Product Safety Commission found that of the 9,100 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospitals, an estimated 15% involved injury to the head, face and ears. Looking into the issue further, the National Safety Council tells us that the majority of accidents occur when amateurs are trying to light professional, homemade or even illegal fireworks.
According to the British brain injury association Headway, for individuals with PTSD, or those recovering from head injuries from traumatic injuries like car accidents, the loud noises and flashing colors of fireworks can result in flashbacks, nervousness and light sensitivity (photophobia).
Short of opting not to attend fireworks events, these individuals may consider:
- Wearing sunglasses and hats glasses to dim the brightness
- Resting when needed
- Leaving events early if needed
- Employing headphones with music, earbuds or even noise-reducing headphones to muffle the sound
Amusement Parks and Concussions: What You Should Know
In our concussion clinic practice, our patients often ask at this time of year if it is safe to go to amusement parks or go on rides at fairs or on the boardwalks. According to Mid-Atlantic Concussion Alliance Medical Director Vincent Schaller, MD, DABFM, CIC, patients who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and are still in recovery should be wary of this kind of activity.
“If you are in recovery from a concussion or other traumatic brain injury, amusement parks and places like that can be very problematic. For one thing, the lights and noise may cause pain, discomfort or disorientation,” says Dr. Schaller. “For another, many rides that spin, turn at high speed or otherwise jar the head can cause the already-injured brain to shake or slide around inside the skull. There is a real risk for exacerbated symptom and side effects, and even possibly reinjury to the concussed brain, a dangerous condition known as second impact syndrome.”
For these reasons, Dr. Schaller and the team at MAC Alliance strongly discourage TBI patients from going on amusement park rides that use drastic changes acceleration, jerking, snapping or vibrations, like roller coasters and Tilt-a-Wheels, before they are fully recovered from their brain injuries.
Splish Splash: Water Safety Includes Protecting Against Concussions
Concussions can happen while swimming and diving, both in organized sport and recreational activities. In fact, in a recent KITV4 news report, the University of Honolulu noted that they are keeping an eye on the number of swimming and diving concussions this year, as the school has seen have seen a spike in the number of their athletes’ concussions this year.
For swimmers, can hit the wall of the pool while doing laps (the backstroke in particular) can cause a concussion. In addition, any time a group of people are swimming or playing in the water together there is a risk for head-to-head collisions. And of course, horseplay and running around the pool deck area can lead to a slip-and-fall incident where someone can hit their head on the concrete. For divers, the risks are more than hitting their heads on the diving platforms or boards. “When a diver’s head hits the water either over-rotated even slightly incorrectly, the impact of the high speed of entry and the weight of the rest of the body behind it can cause trauma to the brain, brain stem or cervical spine,” says Dr. Schaller.
Pools, oceans, lakes and rivers are all refreshing ways to beat the heat. But pools, beaches and other water-activity destinations can sometimes pose head-injury risks, too. To keep safe, Dr. Schaller and the American Red Cross reminds us to:
- Never dive headfirst into any body of water that’s less than 9 ft. deep
- Warn children (and adults!) not to run around wet areas where slips could result in dangerous falls
- Wear swim goggles or a snorkel mask to increase underwater visibility
- Carefully inspect the areas around backyard Slip ‘N’ Slides and other water-fun equipment to ensure that there are no hazards underneath or nearby, such as large stones, tree roots or patio furniture
Reducing Concussions on Playgrounds and Trampolines
The National Program for Playground Safety offers tips to help protect children around playgrounds, stating that nearly 70% of playground injuries are related to falls. Proper soft surfacing material (rubber mats or chips, sand or pea gravel, for instance) will help cushion a blow to the head in the event of a fall. Concussions and head injuries from trampoline accidents can occur even with padding and net enclosures.
On the subject of trampolines, Stanford Children’s Health suggests ways to reduce accidents and concussions, such as:
- Checking the trampoline often for damage.
- Making sure all the protective padding and netting are in place and without holes or rips
- Having an adult supervise all jumping time
- Permitting only one person on the trampoline at a time
- Outlawing tricks that can cause injury, such as flips and somersaults
- Forbidding anyone from jumping with objects in the trampoline or in hand
Wear Your Bike Helmet, Even on Short Joy Rides
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, bicycling contributes to the highest number of ER head injury accidents across the country. Properly fitted helmets should always be worn, whether competing in team sports, commuting, on a leisurely joy ride or riding around on any sort of wheeled equipment. Same goes for when you are horseback riding, skateboarding, rollerblading or roller skating. For all these types of activities, helmets help reduce the severity of head injuries and protect your head from skull fractures.
Helmets should become second nature to kids of all ages, whether they’re competing in team sports or just cruising around the block on their latest skateboard. (FYI: Moms and dads can help set examples for their children by always wearing helmets. Show them how it’s cool to rock that helmet!)
Let’s See You #RockYourHelmet
Mid-Atlantic Concussion (MAC) Alliance has an ongoing social media campaign to promote helmet use for people of all ages, across all kinds of activities where head injuries are a concern. You can join the #RockYourHelmet movement by sharing a great selfie or photo showing proper helmet use. (Be sure to use the hashtag #RockYourHelmet in your post and/or tag MAC Alliance so we can find it!)
— Updated post from June 18, 2021, original reporting by Faith R. Foyil
