February

was child safety month but keeping your child safe is a

year round project.

As the

weather gets warmer and your children are more active

outdoors, it is important to make sure that they are

fully protected and prepared for their activities. One

activity that goes hand in hand with the warmer weather

is bicycle riding.

The

Consumer Product Safety Commission has projected 900 bike

related deaths and over 567,000 injuries that require

emergency medical attention this year alone. thirty-one

percent of those deaths will be to children under 16.

Head injuries will be the leading cause of death in these

accidents.

"A $12

bicycle helmet purchased at any discount store could mean

the difference between life or death," said Gary

Hays, a leading personal injury lawyer in Georgia.

"The commission's survey states that the risk of

death or serious head injury could be reduced by 85

percent if the bikers wore their helmets."

When

purchasing a helmet, it is important to remember these

three things: the helmet should not slide side to side or

front to back, the chin strap should be snug, and there

should be a label inside the helmet stating that it is up

to Consumer Product Safety Commision standards. When

wearing the helmet,it is important to wear it low and

level near the forehead.

Along with

the use of helmets, it is important that your child knows

the rules of the road, including the proper hand signals,

wears reflective clothing and has light reflectors on the

bike while riding at night, and does not ride alone or

unsupervised.

Bicycle

riding is a fun and healthy activity that can and should

be enjoyed by all. By using common sense and taking

preventive measures, it can be a safe summer for

everybody.