TUSTIN, Calif., March 21, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- With the abundance of wet winter weather in California this year, the mountains are covered with snow, and parents eager to introduce their children to fun activities such as sledding, snowboarding and skiing would be well-advised to practice a few safety tips that can protect their children from possible head injury.
"Many people don't realize that brain injury is the number one cause of disability and death in youth in the United States," said Scott Tempel, executive director of SeaStar -- The School for Neuroeducation, in Tustin, the only specialized school for children with traumatic brain injuries on the West Coast.
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, so it's a perfect time to remind everyone of the importance of taking precautions, especially when getting reacquainted with seasonal sports or trying them for the first time. Keep in mind that children are more susceptible to sports-related injuries because their bodies are changing as they grow and they are still developing coordination and physical skills.
"Something as simple as a bike helmet can make all the difference between a harmless tumble in the snow and a trip to the hospital, with possibly permanent consequences," Tempel continued. "Every year one million children in this country sustain mild to severe brain injuries, and a lot of them could have been prevented."
From sleds to snowmobiles, you can help protect your kids by following a few common sense recommendations:
-- Wear a bicycle helmet with an emblem showing it's approved by
the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
-- Use only equipment in good condition with no sharp edges or
broken parts
-- Make sure that all sports equipment and clothing are the correct
size for your child
-- Make sure there's adequate adult supervision at all times
-- Avoid hills with obstacles such as trees, light poles, large
rocks or snow-covered tree stumps
-- Avoid slopes that descend onto roads, driveways or parking lots
Tempel reports that 10 students from SeaStar enjoyed a ski day on February 18 with the help of instructors from the U.S. Adaptive Recreation Center. "The techniques for working with all the students were truly adaptive," he said. "One girl used what looked like a walker with her skis. My son went down the slope literally connected to the instructor. Even one boy who uses a wheelchair was able to ski on a gondola-like apparatus. It was a lot of fun for everyone and a great achievement for our students."
SeaStar School is also connected to winter sports through the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim National Hockey League Club. The Mighty Ducks' charitable foundation, Mighty Ducks Care, has chosen SeaStar School as one of five beneficiary agencies of its campaign.
For additional sports safety tips, see www.kidshealth.org or the National SAFE KIDS Campaign at www.safekids.org. To learn more about acquired head injuries, as well as the services provided by SeaStar, visit www.seastarbraininjury.org.
Previously called The Tustin Center, SeaStar -- The School for Neuroeducation is one of only four schools in the nation that caters to the special needs of children who have survived brain injuries. Located in Tustin, Calif., SeaStar offers a 12-month comprehensive brain injury-specific educational (certified non-public school) and therapeutic program. The school was started in 2001 by the parents of Alex Tempel, who sustained a brain injury as a young child. Seeing the need for such a school in the Western U.S., Scott and Cheryl Tempel formed what is now called the SeaStar Brain Injury Foundation and the school for children with acquired and traumatic brain injury. For more information or to inquire about enrolling your child in the school, call (714) 508-4360.