Safety and Seizures

Taking an Inventory of Activity Risk

Some activities are more risky than others. If you have seizures, think about the things you like to do and the way you like to live now (or in the future) and ask yourself the following questions:

Could I be injured if I had a seizure during this activity? If the activity takes place at heights, near water, or near some other hazard, the risk of being hurt during a seizure goes up.

Can this activity be made safer for someone with seizures? For example, protective helmets and elbow/knee pads can reduce the risk of injury during bike riding or other sports. Similarly, cooking can be made safer by using a microwave oven.

Is this activity important enough to me to take the risks involved? Each of us -- and our families -- has to weigh how much we value an activity against any risks of injury it may carry. In some situations, the answers are obvious. In others, they depend on individual health, preferences and lifestyle.

Disclaimer

This information is based on common experience. It does not reflect the level of risk or need for safety measures of any individual. People vary in their need for safety measures and readers with seizures are warned not to base lifestyle changes on this material without first consulting a physician.