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5 Concussion Precautions Parents Should Consider The word concussion is something that instills fear in any parent because they know concussions are closely associated with many youth contact sports. However, there are a few preventative measures every parent can take to help keep their children in the game and out of the doctor's office. 1 . Know the Symptoms of Concussions Concussions are often misdiagnosed and inap propriately treated, but if you know the symptoms, you can help detect when they occur to avoid a more serious injury. Some of the most common symptoms include: loss of consciousness, amnesia, confusion, headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, ringing in the ear and sensitivity to light or noise. 2 . Properly Fitted Helmets Having a properly fitted helmet ensures that they will work to the best of their ability to help athletes protect themselves. Certified athletic trainers are trained in helmet fitting and can guarantee that the helmet fits properly as the first line of defense in injury prevention. 3 . Wearing the Proper Mouth Guard Many parents don't realize the importance of a mouth guard, but it can often times absorb the majority of the impact if the player is hit near the chin or jaw. In return, the shock absorbed by the mouth guard will help the player remain conscious to avoid a concussion. 18 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • August 2013 4 . Enforce Proper Hitting Techniques Teaching your athlete the importance of proper hitting and tackling techniques can help keep everyone safe on the field. Leading with the body instead of the head and eliminating face-to-face tackling can help reduce the amount of concussions that are often associated with them. 5 . Knowing About Additional Protective Gear Staying up-to-date on different products that can help reduce hitting impact, such as the Guardian Caps developed by the Hanson Group. The Guardian Cap is a softshell helmet covering created to reduce the impact from blows to the head. Although they cannot reduce or prevent concussions, they can help reduce the impact of every hit by up to 33 percent.