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- $Unique_ID{BRK00263}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Should Your Child Wear a Bicycle Helmet?}
- $Subject{bike helmet safety Accidents bicycle accident head injuries
- injury lifestyle lifestyles}
- $Volume{O-23, O-1}
- $Log{}
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- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Should Your Child Wear a Bicycle Helmet?
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- QUESTION: It doesn't matter how often I tell him, my kid won't wear a helmet
- when he rides his bike. Should I make an issue of it?
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- ANSWER: It might be wise to bring the matter up again in a nonnagging way.
- Wearing a bicycle helmet is important and your child should know this. About
- 30,000 people are hurt while riding bikes each year and 650 die, mostly due to
- head injuries. Almost all head injuries that occur in bike accidents under 35
- miles an hour (and only very fit cyclists exceed that) can be prevented by
- wearing a helmet.
- Have you asked your son why he doesn't wear his helmet? Some older
- models are heavy, hot, and uncomfortable. Newer bicycle helmets are lighter
- and allow cool air to flow through. Although a new helmet would cost $30 to
- $40 dollars, the money is well spent if it gets worn. If your son says he
- won't wear his helmet because his friends will think he's a wimp, try showing
- him pictures of pro bike riders, all of whom always wear helmets.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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