Protect your head and your brain to reduce your risk of dementia

You should avoid head injury as much as possible.  This can reduce your risk of a whole range of problems, as well as dementia.

Your brain is inside your head, protected by your skull.  But it can be injured whenever your head has an impact with something else.  So you need to avoid falling, and you need to avoid being hit by something.

Tips for head protection

Use these tips for everyday head protection.

Wear an appropriate helmet when:

• Cycling
• Horse riding
• Riding a motor bike
• Rollerblading
• Skateboarding

Wear protective head gear for contact sports (avoid boxing)

Do balance exercises like yoga and pilates to improve your balance and prevent falls

Always wear a seatbelt in a car or other vehicle

When using a ladder, make sure it is safe or get someone to hold it

Take care as a pedestrian:

• Watch out for cars and vehicles
• Watch out for potholes or things that might trip you up

Use aids if needed to prevent falls, such as walking sticks, walking frames, wheelchairs

Always check the depth of water before diving in