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Kids and Bike Helmets:
The Right Fit |
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Bike helmets should
not be optional equipment.
Universal use of bike helmets by children ages four to 15 would prevent an
estimated 135 to 155 deaths annually. Helmets have been shown in studies to
reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent and the risk of brain injury by
90 percent. Nationally, only 15 percent of children bicyclists used bicycle
helmets.
Here are some points to consider when purchasing or fitting a bike helmet on
a child:
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The helmet should sit
on the child's head so that the front rim is just above the eyebrows. If
the helmet rests on the back of the head, the forehead, nose and chin
will be exposed.
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Before buckling the
chin strap, have children shake their head from side to side. The helmet
should generally stay put. If it moves excessively, it's too big and
won't protect the head no matter how tight the chin strap is pulled.
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When the chin strap
is buckled, children should be able to open their mouth and feel the
helmet press firmly against the top of their head.
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Buy a new helmet.
Helmets that have suffered even a single fall or have been exposed to
heat for a long time (i.e., kept in the trunk of a car) lose the
cohesion that keeps the helmet intact during impact.
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Don't forget to set
an example by wearing a helmet yourself!
Laws
to remember...
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Ride your bike on the
right hand side of the road.
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Always ride in the
same direction as the cars.
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Use a bike path if
one is available.
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If you are with
others, ride single file, not side by side.
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When on the sidewalk
remember to be careful around the people that are walking.
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Always wear a bicycle
helmet!
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Obey all traffic
signs.
Safety
Rules...
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Stop your bike at
street corners.
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Look to the right,
left, and behind you before you start to cross the street. Make sure all
cars stop and drivers see you before you step into the street.
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If the light is red,
you need to stop just like the cars.
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If the light is
green, you should check that all cars see you before you cross the
street.
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Walk your bike when
you are in the crosswalk.
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Wear light colors and
reflective strips when riding at night.
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Always wear a bicycle
helmet!
Skates
and Skateboards...
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Bike safety tips are
useful when you use skates or a skateboard too
Ride on sidewalks, not in traffic.
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Do not ride through
crosswalks. Carry your skateboard in your hand so you do not startle
other pedestrians and so you don't fall in the roadway.
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Never hang onto a
moving vehicle when on your bike, skates, or skateboard.
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Always wear a bicycle
helmet - and don't forget your elbow and knee pads !!!!
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