Addressing Head Injuries in Children: Safety Tips and First Aid

Head injuries are common among children and can range from minor bumps to serious concussions. Understanding how to prevent these injuries and respond appropriately when they occur is crucial for parents and caregivers. This guide offers practical safety tips and first aid advice to help protect your child and manage head injuries effectively.​ 

Preventive Strategies

Home Safety

• Secure Furniture and Install Safety Gates: Anchor heavy furniture to walls and use safety gates to prevent falls down stairs.​ 

• Window Guards: Install window guards to prevent falls from windows.​ 

• Playground Safety: Ensure playgrounds have soft landing surfaces, like mulch or sand, to cushion falls.

Sports and Recreational Activities

• Helmet Use: Ensure children wear helmets that fit properly during activities like biking, skateboarding, or rollerblading. Helmets can significantly reduce the risk of serious head injuries.

• Appropriate Safety Gear: Use sport-specific protective equipment, such as mouthguards and padding, to enhance safety.

Vehicle Safety

• Proper Car Seats and Seatbelts: Use age-appropriate car seats, booster seats, and seatbelts on every trip. Booster seats reduce the risk of serious injury by 59% for children aged 4-8 compared to seatbelt use alone (Durbin, Elliott, & Winston, 2003).

  
  

First Aid Response to Head Injuries

Initial Assessment

• Stay Calm and Reassure Your Child: Keep your child as calm and still as possible.​ 

• Check for Serious Symptoms: Look for signs like loss of consciousness, confusion, severe headache, vomiting, or seizures. If any of these are present, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Managing Minor Head Injuries

• Apply a Cold Compress: Use a cold pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel and apply it to the injured area for up to 20 minutes to reduce swelling. ​

• Monitor Your Child: Observe your child closely for the next 24-48 hours for any new or worsening symptoms.​

When to Seek Medical Attention

• Emergency Signs: If your child exhibits symptoms such as repeated vomiting, severe headache, drowsiness, or unusual behaviour, seek immediate medical care. ​

• Persistent Symptoms: If symptoms persist beyond two weeks, consult your child's doctor for further evaluation.​

  
  

Concussion Management

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury resulting from a blow to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, confusion, and balance problems.​

• Rest and Recovery: After a concussion, ensure your child has a period of relative rest for the first 24-48 hours. This includes getting adequate sleep and limiting activities that require concentration, such as screen time. Gradually reintroduce daily activities as long as they don't significantly worsen symptoms.

• Return to Activities: Children should not return to sports or vigorous physical activities until they have fully recovered and have been cleared by a healthcare professional.​

  
  

Conclusion

Preventing head injuries involves a combination of vigilance, proper safety equipment, and creating a safe environment for your child. In the event of a head injury, prompt and appropriate first aid, along with careful monitoring, can make a significant difference in your child's recovery. Always err on the side of caution and seek medical attention when in doubt.​ 

By staying informed and prepared, you can help ensure your child's safety and well-being during their daily activities.

Written by

Ilana Haseltine Lawrence – RN, MN (Adv Prac Paeds), ACN Cert Immunisation, RTO (AHETI), TAE40122 - Cert IV in Training & Assessment.

Reviewed by

Dr Samual Heitner - Paediatrician, Paediatric Emergency Consultant, Founder - Telebaby, FRACP.