Working closely with the Brain Injury Association of Mississippi, the message shared with Clinton youth is that parents can help their children develop important safety skills which can lead to a happier childhood.
Did You Know?
Each year over 50,000 children sustain a bicycle related brain injury. Over 400 of these children die as a result of their injuries.
(1) Bicycle helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 85% and the risk of
brain injury by almost 90%.
(2) Cyclists ages 14/under have a five times higher risk for injury than
older cyclists.
(3) Head injury is the leading cause of death and disability in bicycle
crashes.
(4) A recent study revealed that less than 5% of Mississippi cyclists
protect their heads with helmets.
(5) Very young children are beginning to set patterns and form attitudes
which will influence future behavior.
Encouraging Helmet Safety
Every parent wants to protect their children against injury. The best way to prevent a bike-related injury is to wear a helmet.
* Start the helmet habit early -- begin with their first tricycle.
* Let your child pick out the helmet he/she wants to wear.
* Make sure your child's helmet is comfortable.
* Be a good example -- wear a helmet when you ride a bike.
* Insist that your children always wear helmets -- no exceptions!
* Praise children when they cooperate.
* Discuss safety with your child and explain your desire to protect them.
About Helmets
Bike helmets have been proven to reduce the risk of head injuries by 85 percent. However, a helmet's effectiveness is dependent on the quality of the helmet and the way it is worn. Mandatory standards for bike helmets have gone into effect in 1997 and require that helmets meet certain criteria regarding construction, labeling, impact resistance and strap strength. Prior to these standards, manufacturers only voluntarily complied with industry standards. A helmet which conforms with safety criteria will contain one of the following labels: ANSI, ASTM, SNELL or CSA. A helmet with at least one of these labels has passed certain safety tests.
Helmets should fit snugly against the head and not rotate. Most helmets come with a set of foam pads which can be inserted in the helmet to insure a proper fit and removed as the child grows. Adjust the chin strap so it also fits securely. Choose a helmet which does not obstruct a child's vision.
A helmet is designed to be worn flat on the child's head. It will not provide the protection intended if the helmet is tilted to the front or the back.
Since a helmet can only protect a child's head if it is worn, adults should encourage helmet use. Helmets which have sustained an impact should be carefully inspected before being used again. Many manufacturers warn that even when damage is not apparent, the helmet may have lost its ability to adequately protect the head. The best policy is to discard a helmet after it has been in a collision.
For additional information, contact the Brain Injury Association of Mississippi at (601) 981-1021.
