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