Many head injuries are the result of accidents that are very difficult to predict or avoid. However, if you have a head injury, you can reduce your risk of developing serious complications.
Safety helmets
Cyclists and motorcyclists can protect their head by wearing a properly fitting safety helmet. British Standard safety helmets are a legal requirement for motorcyclists.
Research commissioned by the Department of Transport found that bicycle helmets ‘should be effective at reducing the risk of head injury’. However, it is difficult to conclusively determine the benefit of cycle helmets because data about road accidents that involve cyclists may not contain all of the relevant information.
For example, in situations where a car is involved it may not always be clear how fast the car was travelling. The data may also not explain where exactly the head injury occurred, which makes it difficult to determine whether a helmet might have prevented the injury.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) all support the use of cycle helmets and suggest that they may help to reduce head injuries. NICE is currently in the process of producing guidance about preventing unintentional injuries in children who are under 15 years of age, which recommends promoting the use of cycle helmets.
As well as wearing a cycle helmet when cycling, you should also make sure that both you and your children:
- use lights and wear reflective clothing when cycling in the dark
- are aware of the dangers of the road and know how to stay safe
- always follow the Highway Code (see Directgov’s online version of the Highway Code)
- check that the bike is in good working order
Safety in the home
Following sensible health and safety guidelines can help prevent accidents in the home. The advice below will help keep your home and garden as safe as possible.
- Keep stairways tidy so that you do not trip over anything.
- Use appropriate safety equipment if you are doing any kind of DIY.
- Do not stand on an unstable chair to change a light bulb. Use a stepladder.
- Clean up any spillages to prevent someone slipping over.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using weed killer or any other chemical products.
For more information, see the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents website.
Childproofing your home
It is not possible to ‘childproof’ your home completely. However, you can take steps to keep toddlers and young children safe at home. See the video about accident prevention (above) and the advice below.
- Check that windows are lockable and cannot be opened by your child. This is particularly important for the windows in your child's bedroom.
- Move furniture, such as beds, sofas and chairs, away from windows to prevent your child climbing up and falling out.
- Make sure that chemicals, such as cleaning products, are out of your child's reach.
- Do not leave hot water unattended, for example a pan of boiling water or a bath.
- Fit safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs.
Safety at work
To reduce the risk of sustaining a head injury at work, always follow any necessary health and safety guidelines. For example, you may have to wear a hard hat and safety shoes when working in potentially hazardous areas.
Sport safety
Wear any necessary safety equipment when playing sports, particularly contact sports. Do not play any contact sports after a head injury without first consulting your GP.
