Concussion injuries in children increase during summer months: physio

CTV News Edmonton's Sasha Pietramala has tips for parents for avoiding concussions during summer play at the playground.

While kids enjoy the freedom of no school, parents should be cautious of concussion injuries that reportedly increase during the summer, a physiotherapist said.

“The sports change for sure. The activities change in the summer from the winter. I think that’s a piece of it,” said Codi Isaac, owner of Isaac Physiotherapy. “Maybe the biggest piece is what they do is actually changed. There is a little bit more rough and tumble.”

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Activities change as seasons change. Children are returning to neighbourhood playgrounds, splash parks, outdoor pools, city fields and bike trails.

According to Alberta Health Services (AHS), 70 per cent of concussion injuries in children come from falling accidents.

“It’s a perfect way for a child to slip and fall and bang their head as well. I’ve seen that happen many times. Kids are falling all over the place on these hard surfaces,” said one local parent as she carefully watched over her child at their neighbourhood playground.

AHS provides tips to protect and prevent children from concussion injuries this summer:

• actively watch your child,
• teach your child about safety during wheeled activities, and
• ensure your child is wearing a helmet during wheeled activities.

“Bicycle helmets are known for decreasing catastrophic injuries, but they also decrease the risk of concussion injuries too. Wearing a helmet is huge,” said Isaac.

Concussion symptoms in children are more subtle than in adults, Isaac said.

Parents should watch out for these concussion signs, according to AHS:

• a constant headache,
• changes to their mood or in the way they act, and
• changes in the way they eat, sleep or play.

If parents are unsure, seeking medial attention or an assessment for their child immediately is highly recommended.