Adobe PDF Pub. 5005 (55k) Also available in Spanish, Chinese, Russian, and Arabic.
An acquired brain injury happens after birth and damages the brain. It either results from an outside force (traumatic injury) or from changes within the brain (non-traumatic injury).
Traumatic brain injury is caused by a contact injury or the brain moving back and forth inside the skull and being bumped, bruised or twisted. Causes include car crashes, falls, and being shaken by someone.
These tips have been developed to help prevent a traumatic brain injury.
- New York State law requires that children up to the age of 4 must be properly restrained in a federally approved child safety seat that is attached to a vehicle by a seat belt or universal child restraint anchorage (LATCH) system. Children less than age 4 but weighing more than 40 pounds may be restrained in a booster seat with a lap/shoulder safety belt. Children ages 4, 5, and 6 must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system, one for which the child meets the height and weight recommendations of the child restraint manufacturer. Children more than 4 feet 9 inches tall, or weighing more than 100 pounds, are exempt from this requirement and may be secured in a seat belt. For more information, visit the New York State Police website at www.troopers.state.ny.us and select the traffic safety link.
- It is important to never leave an infant or young child unattended, especially on changing tables and high chairs.
- Using safety gates at the top and bottom of all stairs will prevent falls.
- Never use baby walkers on wheels, and never allow children to sit on ledges or other places where they are in danger of falling.
- Locking all unopened windows and installing window guards will also help to prevent serious injury to your child.
- Never shake a baby as it can cause severe brain damage, or even death. Shaking a baby can be a form of child abuse. If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected call the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-342-3720.
Pub. #5005 (04/06)
