Grow Up Safe -- Teach Bike Safety
Riding bikes, in-line skating, skateboarding, and other sports using nonmotorized wheels are great ways for kids to stay physically active, but accidents happen, so safety precautions are necessary.
Before allowing your child on any set of wheels, teach him the rules of the road. A big part of the responsibility of owning and using these wheeled toys is learning and abiding by the safety rules that apply.
By consistently reminding children of the importance of following safety precautions, and presenting a good example yourself, you can instill a sense of caution and road awareness in your children, which will help reduce risky traffic-related behavior both now and throughout their lives.
Hands down, the head is the most important body part that your kids need to protect. Although most cuts, bruises, and broken bones will heal, head injuries are often permanent and disabling. The consequences of such injuries can last a lifetime and include paralysis, severe amnesia, slurred speech, depression, anxiety, and loss of motor skills. Scary stuff.
You know you've chosen the right helmet if . . .
- It's snug. There's no slipping from side to side or front to back.
- It's level. It fits square on top of the head, covering the top of the forehead, with the helmet's front edge two finger-widths above the eyebrows. It does not tilt in any direction.
- It's stable. The chin strap keeps the helmet from rocking in any direction. The chin strap should be snug when your child opens his or her mouth. (One finger should fit between the chin and chin strap when the mouth is closed.)
- It's certified. The helmet should be labeled on the inside as approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
RealAge Projection: Learning to take proper safety precautions, such as wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle, will protect kids for years to come. If they continue to take precautions in adulthood, at 50 they could look and feel closer to 46.
