Bikes, inline skating,
skateboarding, and scooters are very popular among children between ages 5 and 14.
These
activities are a great form of exercise. But without protective gear, they can be
dangerous. According to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, bike injuries accounted for
more than half of visits to the emergency room for those under age 19.
The most common (and often most
serious) injury sustained with these activities is a head injury. Head injuries are
the
leading cause of death and disability in these types of crashes. Wearing a helmet
can
reduce the risk of death or injury. It can also reduce the severity of the injury
in a
crash.
Wearing a helmet whenever riding a
bike, inline skates, skateboard, or scooter should be an automatic habit. Helmets
should
fit correctly on your child's head and also be fastened correctly. A correctly fastened
and fitting helmet does not move around on the head.
Teaching your children bike, inline
skating, skateboarding, and scooter safety could save lives.