Traumatic Brain Injury Prevention

The Injury Prevention Program works to prevent traumatic brain injuries among children by supporting the implementation of proven prevention strategies related to bicycle safety, playground safety and sports concussion safety.

Bicycle Safety
80% of all bicycle-related fatalities among children are due to rider error. Children are at particular risk because of their lack of skills, knowledge and limited perception of risk. One of the leading rider errors among children is not wearing a bicycle helmet. Bicycle helmets, when worn properly, reduce the risk of a serious brain injury by almost 90%.

Bicycle Helmet Legislation in Virginia
Virginia does not have a state bicycle helmet law. However, Virginia Code §46.2-906.1 enables localities to pass local ordinances requiring the use of bicycle helmets by children fourteen and younger. To view Virginia localities with bicycle helmet ordinances and learn about other Virginia bicycle laws visit the Virginia Department of Transportation.

• Bicycle and Helmet Safety-general bicycle safety information for children and parents
• Bike Smart Basics-two-day on-the-bike training that is primarily focused on teaching bicycle safety and bicycle maintenance for bicycle safety programs in elementary, middle or high schools. Participants will practice teachable skills and teaching rubrics to gain ideas and methods to develop or enhance a school-based bicycle safety program.

Printed Materials

• Bicycle and Skate Safety Tip Card
• Free bicycle safety brochures, posters and videos can be ordered online or by faxing the order form to 804-864-7748.

• Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
• Bike Virginia
• National Highway Transportation Safety Administration
• Virginia Department of Transportation

Playground Safety
Play is an essential component of healthy development in children. Playgrounds provide an opportunity for children to develop motor, cognitive and social skills. However, each year over 200,000 children receive emergency department care for playground related injuries. But these injuries can be prevented by making sure playgrounds are S.A.F.E. play environments. To learn more about S.A.F.E. playgrounds visit the National Program for Playground Safety.

Trainings and Presentations

• Playground Safety Awareness-general playground safety awareness information focused on the S.A.F.E. Playground Model

Printed Materials

• Playground Safety Tip Card
• Playground Safety Report Card
• Consumer Product Safety Commission Playground Safety Publications

Key Resources

• National Program for Playground Safety

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Sports Concussion Safety
Sports are a great way for children and teens to stay healthy while developing important social, emotional and physical skills; but there are risks. Each year, US emergency departments treat an estimated 135,000 sports and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries (TBI) among children ages 5 to 18. Learn more about the Code of Virginia § 22.1-271.5, Policies on concussions in student-athletes.

Trainings and Presentations

• Sports Concussions and the Young Brain-general concussion prevention awareness and the impact on the developing brain

Key Resources

• Centers for Disease Prevention and Control
• Brain Injury Association of Virginia
• PreventInjuriesVA.org
• Sports Legacy Institute
• Virginia High School League