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Each year in the U.S. approximately 500,000 people of all ages are treated in the Emergency Department for injuries related to bicycle riding. Approximately 1,000 of these result in death. Head injuries account for three-fourths of the deaths related to bicycle riding for all ages. In children less than 15 years bicycle related head injuries account for the majority of the Emergency Department visits and up to one-half of the deaths.
Approximately 125,000 Emergency Department visits per year are related to injuries due to scooters, skateboards and skates. Most of these visits are due to fractures of the wrist, hand, ankle or facial trauma. Helmets have provided an 88% reduction in the risk of head and brain injury related to bicycle riding and have lead to a 65% reduction in trauma to the mid face related to bicycle riding. In line skates injuries have seen a 90% reduction in injury due to the use of wrist guards and elbow pads. So the take home message is your child must wear a helmet and proper safety gear when riding bicycles, skateboards, scooters or skates.
So how do you keep your child safe? Number one is communicating with them; let them know of the dangers. Set strict guidelines. If your child chooses not to obey then they do not ride that item. Make sure your child wears the appropriate fitting helmet and safety gear such as elbow pads, knee pads and wrist guards. Do not allow them to ride scooters or skateboards in traffic. Do not allow “skitching” or “truck-surfing” which is when a skater or skateboarder hitches a ride on a motor vehicle.
Bicycle helmet laws are now in effect in 22 states. To advocate for mandatory use of bicycle helmets contact “Safe Kids Campaign” of the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration. They offer sample legislative wording.
