Seizure Preparedness and Safety

 

Be prepared for seizures before they happen. Explore resources to learn about seizure safety and develop a safety plan.

Safety is always the biggest concern when it comes to seizures. Staying safe means you need to know how seizures can affect day-to-day activities and other health related issues, such as:

  • Driving - laws and restrictions
  • Water safety - swimming and bathing
  • Fire safety – cooking and fireplaces
  • Home safety – sharp corners and carpets
  • Heights – ladders and stairs
  • Recreation – sports and outdoors
  • Childcare
  • Medication side effects
  • Bone health
  • Birth control

Whether you’re a person with epilepsy or a caregiver, plan ahead for what you and your family should do during a seizure. This might mean taking a training, creating a Seizure Action Plan, or even practicing seizure drills. Having the right plan in place helps everyone stay calm and prevent emergencies.

Schools and Seizure Preparedness

Less than 20% of health education teachers receive epilepsy training. If you’re a school administrator, it’s critical that your personnel know what epilepsy is, how to recognize seizures, and how to provide Seizure First Aid.

Learn about the importance of seizure preparedness in schools

Seizure Action Plans

A Seizure Action Plan is a form that your family can use to write down what to do when your family member has a seizure. Having a plan can help you organize your seizure information and have it available when and where you need it.

Learn how to create your own Seizure Action Plan

Seizure Drills

Set aside time for a seizure drill - a time when you can practice what each person will do if a seizure occurs. Using these drills will help you feel more prepared and able to help when a seizure happens.

Learn more about seizure drills

Staying Safe

Many common activities can become dangerous for people with epilepsy and seizures. You can take steps to make these activities safer.

Learn more about staying safe

Related Resources

School Seizure Action Plan

A form that helps family, teachers, and others know what to do during a seizure.

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Seizure Diaries

Learn more about seizure diary options and what to record. Find the right seizure tracking method for you.

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Seizure First Aid Resources

First aid videos and posters you can share to help others learn about seizure first aid.

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Wellness Support Toolkit

Explore how we define wellness and the choices that lead to a fulfilling life.

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Staying Safe – Ryker’s eJourney

Ryker is a four-year-old boy diagnosed with a rare type of epilepsy. His family learned how to lessen the chances of him having seizures through better seizure safety and emergency protocols.

Read More

Sign Up for Epilepsy and Seizure Trainings

The Epilepsy Learning Portal is your one-stop shop to access the Epilepsy Foundation's online and on-demand trainings about epilepsy and seizures. Professionals, people with epilepsy, and their caregivers can learn more about epilepsy, seizures, and Seizure First Aid.