Whether it’s bikes, boards, or blades, helmets are vital

Well the warmer weather is bringing families out of hibernation to enjoy spring and soon summer. Cycling, skateboarding or roller blades are a great way to get out doors. Some easy to follow tips can prevent injuries. Dryer streets and paths are encouraging us all to get outdoors!

GET THE RIGHT KIND OF HELMET

• Choose a bicycle helmet for bike riding, in-line skating, and scooter riding.

• Skateboard riders need a special skateboarding helmet which covers more of the back of the head.

• Make sure the helmet meets safety standards such as CSA, CPSC, Snell or ASTM.

• Replace any helmet that has been in a crash.

CHECK THAT THE HELMET FITS CORRECTLY

• Have your child shake their head from side to side and from front to back. The helmet should NOT move around when they shakes their head.

• Make sure the helmet is level on your child’s head.

• Teach your child to check the helmet fit every time.

• Try the helmet on your child’s head before you buy it.

• Helmets are sold with foam pads that attach to the inside of the helmet. Try different pads until the helmet fits firmly on your child’s head.

• The helmet should cover the top of the forehead and should rest about 2 fingers’ width above the eyebrows.

• Adjust the side straps so that they fit snugly around your child’s ears in a “V”shape. The buckles on the side strap should fit right under the ear.

• Buckle the chin strap. Tighten it until you can only fit one finger between the strap and your child’s chin.

• Remove anything that could change the way a helmet fits, such as baseball caps, big hair clips and headphones.

Head injuries are the leading cause of serious injury and death to kids on wheels. A helmet could save your child’s life! Be sure they wear a helmet every time they ride. Children under 10 should not ride their bicycles on the road. They do not have the physical and thinking skills to handle their bikes safely in traffic. Children over 10 need to practice before they can ride on the road.

CHILDREN ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE BADLY HURT WHEN:

• They ride or skate near cars and traffic

• They do not use safety gear

• They are beginners and just learning how to ride or skate

• They go too fast or try stunts

WHEN CAN YOUR CHILD RIDE OR SKATE SAFELY?

Your child should be able to:

• Keep his balance

• Control his speed

• Ride or skate in a straight line

• Turn without losing control or falling

• Stop without losing control or falling

• Notice other people or things, and avoid running into them

• Check over his shoulder without losing control

Take off your child’s helmet before he plays on equipment. It could get caught and cause your child to be strangled. Remember: You are your child’s best role model. Everyone should wear a helmet when they ride or skate. We thank Parachute Canada for providing us with some of the information for this article. It’s time to take the bike out of the garage, check it’s condition and start to get ready for a safe season. Wearing the gear, obeying the rules of the road and practice will make your child a safe cyclist. Bikes, boards or blades it’s the helmet that’s important.

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