| PRACTICAL INFORMATION |
For Parents |
As a parent it is vital you understand why your child(ren) should wear a helmet. Helmets cannot prevent accidents but a child who is wearing a helmet and is involved in an accident has a much better chance of either being uninjured or receiving a less severe head injury than if they’d not been wearing a helmet. For a helmet to be effective, and research shows that they can reduce head injury by up to 88 per cent, it must be fitted correctly. It must fit snugly, sit squarely on your head and must not obstruct any of your senses. Whilst getting younger children to wear a helmet can be relatively easy, encouraging older children can be much more difficult. Many teenagers face peer pressure from their friends not to wear a helmet and as a parent they need your support and understanding. One way to encourage them to wear a helmet is allowing them to choose their own, within a limited budget! It is also important that children receive cycle training. Contact your local road safety department for more information. As a parent it is important to lead by example so always wear a helmet yourself. For more information on how to fit a helmet correctly and on ways to encourage your child to wear a helmet contact BHIT. |
As health care professionals you will already understand the importance and benefits of wearing a helmet and how prevention is better than cure. The Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust started life as a campaign in a local hospital and the founder and chief executive has more than 20 years’ nursing experience. Since those early days the Trust has always maintained strong links with health organisations including hospitals, school nurses, the Department of Health, the BMA, the Royal Colleges and primary health care trusts. Wearing a cycle helmet significantly reduces the risk of head injury and therefore it is vital information about helmets is given to the parents/carers of young people who have been treated for a head injury on leaving Accident and Emergency departments. Children’s wards, GP surgeries and schools are also key areas in the campaign to spread information about the importance of helmets and it is essential leaflets are distributed in all these places. If you would like to help spread the word contact BHIT for leaflets and posters that the charity will be happy to supply. |
There is overwhelming evidence that cycle helmets are effective and wearing one can help to reduce head injury by up to 88 per cent. As more and more children are being encouraged to cycle to school under the Government’s Safer Routes to Schools initiative it is vital that they do so ensuring all safety precautions are taken. This involves wearing the correct reflective clothing, having cycle training and wearing a helmet. As many children as possible should be encourage to attend a cycle training course and should, wherever possible, wear a cycle helmet and any school cycling initiative should always stress the importance of wearing a helmet. According to Government figures children are more than three times more likely to die on Britain’s roads than adult cyclists and head injuries account for 70 per cent of cyclists’ deaths. Police are often only alerted to accidents that involve another vehicle resulting in the fact that the vast majority of cycle casualties are not recorded as such. To ensure children are educated in the importance of wearing a helmet contact BHIT who can supply a range of educational material for all age groups. |
