Quadriplegia Prevention

Prevention

The following measures are recommended by safety experts to reduce your chance of getting a spinal cord injury:

• Drive safely. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries. Wear a seat belt every time you drive. Make sure your children wear a seat belt or are in a child safety seat. Don't drive if you have been drinking or using drugs.
• Be safe with firearms. Lock guns and ammunition in a safe place. Store them separately in locked containers.
• Take measures to avoid falls. Use a stool or stepladder to reach high places. Add handrails along stairways. Place nonslip mats in your bathroom, shower, and under carpets. To keep children safe, use safety gates to block stairs. Install window guards.
• Always wear safety gear when playing sports. Avoid headfirst moves, such as:
  • Diving into shallow water
  • Spear tackling in football
  • Sliding headfirst in baseball
  • Skating headfirst into the boards in ice hockey
  Use a spotter in gymnastics. Don't jump from higher than 8 to 10 feet.