Top Four Places to Never Leave Your Child Alone if They Have Epilepsy

If your child has been diagnosed with epilepsy, they can still lead a normal life. Most children with seizures do not usually have any physical limitations or activity restrictions. However, certain activities should be closely monitored, because there is a chance your child could lose consciousness during a seizure. 

These activities require extra precaution for children with epilepsy:

• Swimming or taking a bath: Your child should always be closely monitored while in the water. Encourage your child to take showers instead of sitting in a tub of water. Never leave your child alone in the tub or a swimming pool of any kind.
• Fire: Your child should always be closely monitored around campfires, fireplaces, or hot ovens and stoves.
• Heights: Your child should always be closely monitored when activity includes heights, like climbing on monkey bars or in trees, etc.
• Driving: Arkansas law requires an individual to be seizure-free for one year before driving.

Your child may have increased seizures when they are sick, running a fever, sleep-deprived, or under stress. It is very important for your child to follow their medication schedule because missing doses can result in increased seizures.

1 in 6 children suffer from some kind of neurological disorder. The Neuroscience Center at Arkansas Children’s Hospital has a team of more than 200 health care professionals who work together to provide comprehensive neurological care to children all over the country.