Bicycle Safety Tips For Kids

Keeping your kids safe is a big job for parents. Forand put your helmet to the test, be sure to get a new
most it means safety from bad strangers and othersone. They don't work as well after a major crash.
preying on our children.Some fun things to do is personalize your helmet with
I take a well rounded approach to stranger danger andsome favorite stickers. Reflective stickers are a great
expand my classes to cover other "safe kids" topics,choice because they look cool and make you more
too. I reinforce the lessons Mom and Dad emphasize.visible to people driving cars.
One subject I also touch upon is bicycle safety. BikeAfter wearing the right type of helmet, making sure
safety includes wearing helmets, riding safely andyou have the right bike for you is the second most
under control, being seen and wearing shoes.importatn safety consideration. Riding a bike that is the
Why is bicycle safety so important?right size also help keeps you safe. Here's how to size
Bike riding is a lot of fun, but accidents happen. Everythe bike just for you:
year, about 176,000 kids go to the emergency1. Stand straddling the top bar of your bike so that both
department because of bike accident injuries. Some offeet are flat on the ground.
these injuries are so serious that children die, usually2. There should be 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6
from head injuries.centimeters) of space between you and the top bar.
Wearing a good bicycle safety helmet protects a3. Make sure your seat, handlebars, and wheels fit
rider's head. A head injury means a brain injury.tightly.
Wearing a helmet doesn't mean riders can be reckless4. Check and oil your chain regularly.
but it provides some protection in case of an accident.5. Check your brakes to be sure they work well and
Bike helmets are so important that the U.S.aren't sticking.
government has created safety standards for them. A6. Check your tires to make sure they have enough air
good bike helmet should have a sticker that says itand the right tire pressure.
meets standards set by the Consumer ProductWearing bright clothes and putting reflectors on your
Safety Commission (CPSC). Your bike helmet shouldbike also can help you stay safe. It helps other people
fit you properly. You don't want it too small or too big.on the road see you. And if they see you, that means
Never wear a hat under your bike helmet. If you'rethey're less likely to run into you.
unsure if your helmet fits you well, ask someone at aYou'll also want to make sure that nothing will get
bike store.caught in your bike chain, such as loose pant legs,
Make sure to wear a helmet the right way for fullbackpack straps, or shoelaces. Wear the right shoes -
protection. It should be worn level and cover thesneakers - when you bike. Sandals, shoes with heels,
forehead. The straps should always be fastened. If theand cleats won't help you grip the pedals. And never
straps are flying, it's likely to fall off especially whengo riding barefoot! Riding gloves may help you grip the
needed the most. Make sure the straps are adjustedhandlebars - and make you look like a professional!
so they're snug enough that the helemt can't pull orBut avoid wearing headphones because the music can
twist around.distract you from noises around you, such as a car
Take care of a bike helmet and don't throw it around.blowing its horn so you can get out of the way.
That could damage the helmet and it won't protectKeeping kids safe is my business.
you as well when you really need it. If you do fall down