A New Push for Bike Helmets
August 27, 2005 | First Aid and Safety
Do your children wear bicycle helmets every time they hop on a bike? Bike accidents are the second leading cause of serious injury in school-age children. Now there’s a new push to get all kids to wear a helmet.
Wearing a helmet is required by law in Seattle, Tacoma, Bremerton and many other places. But many kids either don’t have a helmet or won’t wear one.
Harborview, Children’s Hospital and the Seattle Police Department are teaming up to get more kids into helmets. Some events held this summer gave out helmets to all children who peddled up.
When Seattle police spot kids wearing their helmets there are words of praise and occasionally a fun reward, too.
But a helmet won’t protect your head if it doesn’t fit right. They should feel fairly snug but not so tight it gives you a headache and be centered on the top of the head.
They also need to be replaced as a child grows or after a bad spill.
“Even if your child has had a relatively minor accident and fallen, it’s probably time to replace it,” said Dr. Benjamin Danielson of Children’s Hospital in Seattle. “If the helmet is damaged, it’s not protecting them.”
In the last 10 years, the number of kids seriously or fatally injured by bike accidents has been steadily dropping. More kids seem to be getting the message and wearing their helmets.
If your child needs a helmet, you can buy one for $10 through a special program sponsored by Seattle parks and Cascade Bicycle Club.
They will be on sale Sept. 17 at Seattle City pools. Call your nearest pool for more information.