Monday, June 28, 2010

 

Bike helmet safety important for children

Waiting in line at the hospital isn’t usually something we applaud. But watching hundreds of people line up for free bicycle helmets at Backus Hospital’s Safety Camp recently made me proud.


As manager of our trauma program, I have seen firsthand the damage that can be done to children who don’t wear helmets while biking or skateboarding.


According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, children ages 5-14 account for about one-quarter of all bicycle-related deaths and more than half of all bicycle-related injuries.


More often than not these injuries are to the head, and while children are typically resilient when it comes to broken bones or even internal injuries, the healing capacity of the brain is limited. The skull protects the brain, but it can only do so much and sometimes people with traumatic brain injuries never recover.


That’s why wearing a bicycle helmet is so important, and why we hold Safety Camp each year and give out free helmets. Thank you to everyone who donated items and helped organize the event. I want to especially thank those who took the time to make sure helmets were properly fitted, as we don’t just hand the helmets out -- we make sure that they are properly fastened.


Having a helmet that is too small, too large or not properly fitted is the equivalent of having no helmet and could even add to the damage.


And no matter how tempted you might be, never let a child ride without a helmet.


According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, children are more likely to be injured on residential streets, close to home. That’s probably because when we are involved in casual activities in familiar places we are more likely to let our guard down.


My advice? Don’t ever don’t ever let your guard down. The one time you do could be the last.


Gillian Mosier is a registered nurse and manager of the Trauma Program at The William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. If you want to comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy Living blog at www.backushospital.org/backus-blogs or e-mail Ms. Mosier or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org


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