Helmuts

Immunizations
Car Seats
Helmuts
Child Proofing Your Home
Second Hand Smoke

Helmets

About 400 U.S. children under the age of 15 die each year while riding bicycles and another 400,000 require emergency room treatment.

Cycling injuries, especially head injuries, are a serious, yet highly preventable problem. With the proper equipment most injuries can be prevented. The first place to start is to make a bicycle helmet part of every child's riding gear.

A 1989 study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine found that children and adults who wear bicycle helmets reduce their risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent and their risk of brain injury by 90 percent.

Parents should encourage helmet use by placing bicycle helmets on infants who ride in bicycle carriers. By the same token, parents must set an example by wearing helmets whenever they ride - even on bike paths.

When purchasing a helmet for children, look for those approved by the American National Safety Institute or those meeting the Snell Memorial Foundation's 1984 Standard for Protective Headgear. Most bike shops carry a variety of approved helmets and can help parent's fit one to their child.

In addition to requiring a helmet, parents should teach their children a few basic rules of the road:

Never ride in alleys.

Stop at the end of a driveway. Most crashes between a car and a bike happen when children fail to stop at the end of a driveway or when they cross a driveway or sidewalk and a car pulls in front of them.

Always ride on the right side of the road.

Obey traffic laws.

Wear light-colored clothing.

Parents should also carefully plan the routes their children use to ride to school or to friends' homes, making sure to avoid major intersections whenever possible. Children should avoid riding at dusk or at night. The bicycle should be equipped with adequate front and rear lighting and plenty of reflectors.

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If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.

© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.

Immunizations Car Seats Helmuts Child Proofing Your Home Second Hand Smoke		Helmets About 400 U.S. children under the age of 15 die each year while riding bicycles and another 400,000 require emergency room treatment. Cycling injuries, especially head injuries, are a serious, yet highly preventable problem. With the proper equipment most injuries can be prevented. The first place to start is to make a bicycle helmet part of every child's riding gear. A 1989 study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine found that children and adults who wear bicycle helmets reduce their risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent and their risk of brain injury by 90 percent. Parents should encourage helmet use by placing bicycle helmets on infants who ride in bicycle carriers. By the same token, parents must set an example by wearing helmets whenever they ride - even on bike paths. When purchasing a helmet for children, look for those approved by the American National Safety Institute or those meeting the Snell Memorial Foundation's 1984 Standard for Protective Headgear. Most bike shops carry a variety of approved helmets and can help parent's fit one to their child. In addition to requiring a helmet, parents should teach their children a few basic rules of the road: Never ride in alleys. Stop at the end of a driveway. Most crashes between a car and a bike happen when children fail to stop at the end of a driveway or when they cross a driveway or sidewalk and a car pulls in front of them. Always ride on the right side of the road. Obey traffic laws. Wear light-colored clothing. Parents should also carefully plan the routes their children use to ride to school or to friends' homes, making sure to avoid major intersections whenever possible. Children should avoid riding at dusk or at night. The bicycle should be equipped with adequate front and rear lighting and plenty of reflectors.
		COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES & INFECTIONS \| YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT PARENTING CHALLENGES \| RESOURCES AND INFORMATION \| ABOUT THIS PROGRAM BACK TO PRAIRIE PUBLIC TELEVISION \| RETURN TO PRAIRIEPUBLIC.ORG HOME PAGE
		Missed A Program? Healthworks on Videotape If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.
		© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.