Porter Regional Hospital Encourages Bike Riders to Use Their Head and Wear a Helmet
5/25/2016
VALPARAISO, IN (May 26, 2016) – Did you know bike accidents result in more than 580,000 visits to the emergency room each year? And that about 26,000 of those accidents involving children and adolescents result in a traumatic brain injury?*
For our children’s safety, raising awareness and educating the community about bicycling safety and the importance of helmet use is the key, said Porter Regional Hospital’s Director of the Trauma Service Line Michele O’Hern.
“I can’t stress enough how important it is to wear a helmet every time you get on a bike – no matter the distance,” said O’Hern. “Some children don’t like to wear helmets because they think it’s not cool. But without a helmet you are at an increased risk of head injury.”
She adds that parents should make it a fun family event to go shopping for properly fitting helmets children will “want to wear.”
“There are some designs now with spikes, skulls and favorite characters on them. It definitely ups the coolness factor, and most importantly keeps them more protected,” O’Hern said.
So before you take to the road for summer fun and adventure, follow these tips from O’Hern to help ensure you don’t have a bumpy ride:
Wear a helmet: Develop this habit early with children. Parents – children learn best by observing you, so you, too, should put on your helmet anytime you ride. Helmets should also be worn while rollerblading or riding a skateboard or scooter.
Know the ABCs: Before you ride, make sure to follow this checklist to ensure your family’s bikes are road ready. A = Air pressure, B = Brakes, C = Chain
Find the right fit: Never buy a bike your child can grow into. Both feet should reach the ground when the rider is seated on the bike. Riding a bike that is not the correct fit can cause a loss of balance and control.
Follow the rules of the road: Be predictable – never ride out into the street from a driveway or between parked cars without stopping and looking for traffic. Use hand signals before changing lanes, follow the same traffic signs as cars and ride in a straight line on the right side of the road. Always go with the flow of traffic, not against it.
Be bright: Fluorescent clothing makes cyclists visible from further distances. At dusk, dawn or in the evening wear reflective clothing and have working lights or reflectors on bikes – white in front, red in back.
Stay alert: Watch out for uneven pavement and potholes or cars backing out of driveways. Always know what’s happening around you. That means no ear buds or headphones. And just like in a car – never text and drive.
*Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
If you or someone you love does experience a bicycle injury, call 9-1-1 or go directly to the closest ER. Porter Health Care System has three Emergency Departments – Porter Regional Hospital, Portage Hospital and Valparaiso Medical Center.
Porter Health Care System has two hospital campuses and seven outpatient facilities serving Porter, Lake, LaPorte, Starke and Jasper counties. With more than 350 physicians representing 50 medical specialties, Porter Health Care System is committed to medical excellence and personalized, patient-centered care. Porter is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.
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