I am Samantha Pill, RN, Emergency Department manager at United Hospital Center. I am here to provide you with some helpful safety tips for a more enjoyable summer.
1). What should you consider for a proper fitting bike helmet?
As you might expect, when a crash occurs between a vehicle and a bike, it’s the cyclist who is most likely to be injured. A properly fitting helmet is your best protection, but keep in mind that helmet sizes can vary between manufacturers. It may take time to ensure a proper helmet fit, but your life is worth it. It’s usually easier to look in the mirror or have someone else adjust the straps.
Make sure your child’s helmet is:
- Well maintained,
- Age-appropriate,
- Worn consistently and correctly, and
- Appropriately certified for use.
2). So, can bike helmets help to prevent concussions?
While there is no concussion-proof helmet, a helmet can help protect your child or teen from a serious brain or head injury. Even with a helmet, it is important for your child or teen to avoid hits to the head.
3). What are some important safety measures that you should convey to your child about biking?
Your child should be focused and alert to the road and all traffic. It is important for your child to anticipate what others may do before they do it. This is defensive driving, the quicker you notice a potential conflict, the quicker you can act to avoid a potential crash.
Your child should ride with the flow, in the same direction as traffic, while obeying street signs, signals, and road markings, just like a car.
It is best to always assume that the other person doesn’t see you; look ahead for hazards or situations to avoid that may cause you to fall, such as: Toys, pebbles, potholes, grates, and train tracks. Remember to stress there is to be no texting, listening to music, or using anything that distracts you by taking your eyes and ears or your mind off the road and traffic.
