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The AAA Companion
July | August 2005
Volume 79 Issue 4
Volume 79 Issue 4
An unconscious child being rushed into an emergency room is a heart-wrenching scene, fraught with the possibility that a family's life will be forever changed. Unfortunately, this scene is played out daily across the country. Each year trauma centers treat thousands of children with severe head injuries resulting from a fall or collision while riding a bike, scooter, or skateboard. Many of these injuries lead to death or severe disability.Nearly half of hospitalizations for bicycle-related injuries among children 14 and younger involve a traumatic brain injury. Those who survive often spend the rest of their lives dealing with paralysis, speech problems and more. It is a fate that is avoidable.
A helmet can reduce the risk of brain injury by as much as 88%, according to data gathered by the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. The American Medical Association calls a bike helmet the most cost-effective safety device ever made. Yet fewer than half (41%) of kids ages 5 to 14 wear helmets when participating in wheeled activities, and more than a third of those who do, wear them improperly.
Children often believe a serious fall couldn't happen to them, yet injuries from any fall can be more damaging than children and parents realize. A fall from as little as two feet can result in a traumatic brain injury. AAA encourages parents to make bike helmets a part of their child's game plan. Point out the different types of protective gear worn by your child's heroes — not just cyclists, but those in sports like football, motor racing, skateboarding, martial arts and many other activities.
When buying a helmet, look at the label. Choose one that meets safety standards developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Snell Memorial Foundation, or the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
The helmet should sit on the head so that the front rim is just above the eyebrows. Before fastening the chinstrap, have your child shake his or her head from side to side. If the helmet moves too much, it won't be effective no matter how tight you pull the strap. If your child is between sizes, adjust the helmet with foam inserts. It should be comfortable and snug, but not too tight. When the chinstrap is buckled, your child should be able to open his mouth and feel the helmet press firmly against the top of his or her head.
Finally, studies show that parents who lead by example make a measurable difference in use of helmets by their children. So if you are a cyclist yourself, always wear a helmet — it can help save your child's life as well as your own. For news on safety issues, visit www.aaa.com.