Spinal Cord Injury Prevention

Susan Spinasanta

Senior Medical Editor

SpineUniverse

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is often preventable. The following suggestions, combined with good old common sense, can help you prevent an SCI.

Rules of the Road

• All passengers must always wear their seat belt
• Use age and weight appropriate child safety seats
• Children under age 12 should ride in the back seat secured or buckled in place
• Alcohol, drugs, and driving are not a safe mix
• Don't drive if sleepy
• New prescription? Check the label for side effects that could affect your ability to drive safely
• Avoid cell phone use while driving (that includes talking and texting!)

Protect Your Brain: Wear a helmet when?

• Riding a bike, motorcycle, scooter, or skateboard
• Roller skating, in-line skating
• Skiing, snowboarding
• Horseback riding
• Playing certain sports, including: baseball, football, ice hockey

Home Safety

• Remove rugs and power cords that could cause you to trip
• Secure stairway banisters and handrails
• Use a sturdy step stool with a grab bar
• Install grab bars in the shower and bathtub
• Place non-slip mats on shower floors and in the bathtub
• Use nightlights
• Children around? Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs
• Install window guards to protect children from falling out
• Lock up firearms and store bullets elsewhere

Play it Safe

• Playing sports? Wear the correct safety gear.
• Put your best foot forward. Check water depth before diving headfirst. Feet first is safer.
• Doing gymnastics? Use a qualified spotter.