Safe Kids Midlands
Palmetto Health Richland
7 Richland Medical Park Drive
Suite #7186
Columbia, SC 29203
PHONE (803) 434-2955
FAX (803) 434-7379

SAFE KIDS MIDLANDS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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Bike Safety Month

Kids are at risk for bike-related injuries because kids ride bikes! Head injury is the leading cause of death in bike crashes. The most effective way to reduce head injury from bicycle crashes is to wear a helmet. Helmet use among child bicyclists ranges as low as 15 to 25 percent. It is lowest among children ages 11 to 14.

Other risk factors:

Children are more likely to die from motor vehicle-related bicycle crashes at nonintersection locations (59 percent), during warm weather months (80 percent) and in the after-school hours. (65 percent).

Children are four times more likely to be injured when riding in low light (nighttime, dawn or dusk) than in daylight.

Children are more likely to be injured on residential streets close to home.

Children ages 4 and under are more likely than older children to be injured around the home (driveway, garage, yard).

Kids are inexperienced and often put themselves in harm's way.

Helmet tips:

Don't negotiate. Make it a family rule to always wear a bike helmet when riding.

Buy a good helmet for each bike rider in the family.

1. Correct fit is essential.
2. Let your child choose the helmet design he/she likes
3. Talk to other parents and encourage them to have their kids wear helmets.
4. Be a good example and wear your helmet when you go biking.

Teach your children:

A bicycle is a vehicle, not a toy. Riding a bike - especially around traffic - is an important responsibility.

Ride with traffic, not against it. Ride as far to the right as possible.

Use appropriate hand signals.

Respect traffic signals. Stop at all stop signs and red lights.

Stop and look left, right and left again before entering a street.

Look back and yield to traffic coming from behind before turning left at intersections.

Don't ride when it's dark. Wear light or reflective clothing when riding at dusk, dawn or in the evening.

Prevent injuries by making sure the bike is working properly.

Links:

Kid friendly explanations of safe bike riding rules - interactive.
Another interactive site teaching safety rules. Good for kids 8 and up.
Learn everything about bike helmets!