Keeping Kids Safe on Wheels
By Lisa Schaeg, PNP
The holiday season is here. Many children will be receiving new bicycles, scooters and skateboards as holiday gifts. Unfortunately, children are more susceptible to injuries during these activities because they are still growing and gaining their motor and cognitive skills.
Injuries involving “kids on wheels” can vary from minor scrapes and bruises to fractures and even more serious injury such as head trauma. Protective gear such as helmets, wrist guards, elbow and knee pads are recommended because they reduce the number and severity of injuries. Bicycle safety helmets have proven to be the single, most effective safety device in reducing head injury and death.
It is important to teach children that safety helmets are not solely for use during bicycle riding. They are recommended for all activities on wheels—specifically skateboards, scooters, bicycles and roller skates. Getting your child in the helmet-habit requires educating them about their purpose and consistently reinforcing the behavior so that it becomes second nature for them.
Too often we feel powerless to stop children from getting hurt, but these are simple safety measures that prevent a world of harm. We cannot protect our children from every eventuality, but we can be better informed and advocate to keep our children safe at play. Your children will thank you for taking extra steps to ensure their safety.