4/4/2009

Bike Helmet Safety

Local Daisies from Glen Spring Elementary learn about helmet safety with Safe Kids of North Central Florida at Safety City. Daisies learn how to test their helmet with the "2 finger rule" to see if their helmet is level and snug.

How to fit your helmet correctly:

1. Make sure the helmet is the right size and fitted correctly — the helmet should be comfortable and not too tight or loose.
2. Position the helmet on the head properly — the helmet should sit level on the head, covering the forehead, with the rim just above the eyebrows.
3. The straps should be correctly adjusted and the buckle securely fastened. The straps should form a ’V’ shape with the plastic strap guide sitting just under the ear lobe. The buckle should be close under the chin.

Here are some amazing facts about bike helmet safety:

It is Florida law for anyone under 16 years of age to wear a helmet.

Head injury is the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes.

The single most effective safety device available to reduce head injury and death from bicycle crashes is a helmet.

Bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent and the risk of brain injury by as much as 88 percent.

Every year, an estimated 130 children ages 14 and under die in bicycle crashes in the United States.

Make sure your child wears a helmet and other protective gear every time he or she bikes, skates or scooters.

Don’t place your child on a bike he or she will “grow into.” Your child’s feet should touch the ground when sitting on the seat.

Teach your child the rules of the road including obeying all traffic laws.