Bicycle Safety
Tuesday, April 29, 2008

May is Bicycle Safety Month. In today’s Sixty Second Housecall, Dr. Ken Davis takes a closer look at this topic and how to keep you and your children safe while riding bikes.

Riding bikes gives kids a sense of independence and adventure, yet if misused, bikes can be dangerous. Children often attempt risky stunts and exhibit careless behavior, which can result in tragedy ‑ especially if they don’t wear a helmet.

Each year, more than two hundred children 14 and younger are killed and nearly three hundred and fifty thousand are injured in bicycle‑related incidents.  Head injuries from bicycle falls are the leading cause of death in bicycle‑related crashes.  Here are some bicycle safety tips to keep your child safe.

• Purchase an approved bicycle helmet for each child. Insist the helmet is worn correctly every time the child goes for a ride.

• Teach children safe bicycling behaviors.

• Make sure the child’s bicycle is the right size and works properly.

• Have children wear bright colored clothing so drivers can easily spot them, and

• Model appropriate behavior by always wearing your own helmet when cycling

For North Mississippi Medical Center, I’m Dr. Ken Davis.