| Keeping your kids safe is a big job for | | | | Some fun things to do is personalize your |
| parents. For most it means safety from bad | | | | helmet with some favorite stickers. |
| strangers and others preying on our children. | | | | Reflective stickers are a great choice |
| | | | because they look cool and make you more |
| I take a well rounded approach to stranger | | | | visible to people driving cars. |
| danger and expand my classes to cover other | | | | |
| "safe kids" topics, too. I reinforce the | | | | After wearing the right type of helmet, |
| lessons Mom and Dad emphasize. One subject I | | | | making sure you have the right bike for you |
| also touch upon is bicycle safety. Bike | | | | is the second most importatn safety |
| safety includes wearing helmets, riding | | | | consideration. Riding a bike that is the |
| safely and under control, being seen and | | | | right size also help keeps you safe. Here's |
| wearing shoes. | | | | how to size the bike just for you: |
| | | | |
| Why is bicycle safety so important? | | | | 1. Stand straddling the top bar of your bike |
| | | | so that both feet are flat on the ground. |
| Bike riding is a lot of fun, but accidents | | | | |
| happen. Every year, about 176,000 kids go to | | | | 2. There should be 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 |
| the emergency department because of bike | | | | centimeters) of space between you and the top |
| accident injuries. Some of these injuries are | | | | bar. |
| so serious that children die, usually from | | | | |
| head injuries. | | | | 3. Make sure your seat, handlebars, and |
| | | | wheels fit tightly. |
| Wearing a good bicycle safety helmet protects | | | | |
| a rider's head. A head injury means a brain | | | | 4. Check and oil your chain regularly. |
| injury. Wearing a helmet doesn't mean riders | | | | |
| can be reckless but it provides some | | | | 5. Check your brakes to be sure they work |
| protection in case of an accident. Bike | | | | well and aren't sticking. |
| helmets are so important that the U.S. | | | | |
| government has created safety standards for | | | | 6. Check your tires to make sure they have |
| them. A good bike helmet should have a | | | | enough air and the right tire pressure. |
| sticker that says it meets standards set by | | | | |
| the Consumer Product Safety Commission | | | | Wearing bright clothes and putting reflectors |
| (CPSC). Your bike helmet should fit you | | | | on your bike also can help you stay safe. It |
| properly. You don't want it too small or too | | | | helps other people on the road see you. And |
| big. Never wear a hat under your bike helmet. | | | | if they see you, that means they're less |
| If you're unsure if your helmet fits you | | | | likely to run into you. |
| well, ask someone at a bike store. | | | | |
| | | | You'll also want to make sure that nothing |
| Make sure to wear a helmet the right way for | | | | will get caught in your bike chain, such as |
| full protection. It should be worn level and | | | | loose pant legs, backpack straps, or |
| cover the forehead. The straps should always | | | | shoelaces. Wear the right shoes - sneakers - |
| be fastened. If the straps are flying, it's | | | | when you bike. Sandals, shoes with heels, and |
| likely to fall off especially when needed the | | | | cleats won't help you grip the pedals. And |
| most. Make sure the straps are adjusted so | | | | never go riding barefoot! Riding gloves may |
| they're snug enough that the helemt can't | | | | help you grip the handlebars - and make you |
| pull or twist around. | | | | look like a professional! |
| | | | |
| Take care of a bike helmet and don't throw it | | | | But avoid wearing headphones because the |
| around. That could damage the helmet and it | | | | music can distract you from noises around |
| won't protect you as well when you really | | | | you, such as a car blowing its horn so you |
| need it. If you do fall down and put your | | | | can get out of the way. |
| helmet to the test, be sure to get a new one. | | | | |
| They don't work as well after a major crash. | | | | Keeping kids safe is my business. |