Along with the start of the school season comes the beginning of fall sports and possible dangers.

Every sport carries some level of risk, but contact-related sports like football and hockey increase the risk of concussions.

To minimize the possibility of a brain injury, doctors say helmets should be worn for any sports activity.

Fall sports for younger kids and high school students also include soccer, lacrosse, basketball and cheerleading.

Local doctors say it's important for every athlete to let their coach or parent know if they have hit their head, as well as to recognize the signs.

"It’s not just an injury to the head; the brain is actually affected so the common symptoms of concussion are things that tell us the brain isn't working probably. So you can get headaches and dizziness, but also common would be trouble thinking or remembering, poor coordination, trouble speaking,” said Bryan Riger Ph.D., Upstate Concussions Center director. 

The fall sports season is usually over by the last week of November.