Introducing children to the fun and freedom of riding a bike should go hand in hand with teaching them about bicycle safety. As summer approaches and the activities move outdoors, be sure you're keeping safety at the top of the list - set a good example and don't forget the bicycle helmet!

According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, over 500,000 people are treated in emergency departments for bicycle-related injuries each year. Of those, about 67,000 have head injuries, the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes. Unfortunately, while bicycle helmets are 85-88% effective in mitigating head and brain injuries, only about 20-25% of all bicyclists wear them. Helmet use is lowest among children ages 11 to 14.

"The use of helmets is the single most effective way to reduce head injuries and fatalities resulting from bicycle crashes," says Dr. James Gariti of Divine Savior Healthcare. "If everyone who rides a bike this summer would first put on a helmet, there would be far fewer bike riders in emergency departments with serious injuries."

In 2005, the Emergency Department at Divine Savior Healthcare began participating in a Bicycle Safety program sponsored by the Wisconsin River Chapter of the Emergency Nurses Association. Emergency Department staff ask children 16 years old and younger who come to the department if they routinely wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. If the kids answer "yes," they receive a coupon for a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut of Portage. If the answer is "no," the children, along with their parents, receive safety information about the importance of wearing a bicycle helmet. 

This year, Divine Savior Healthcare is participating in the program in partnership with Pizza Hut of Portage. The restaurant has generously donated 300 coupons for personal pan pizzas to be used throughout the summer to reward kids who are wearing their helmets.

"Often times when you think of nurses or the ER, you think of them as the ones who take care of you after you get hurt," says Lori Barto, RN, Director of Divine Savior's Emergency Department. "But we also play a big role in educating the public about injury prevention. Our Emergency Department staff is happy to be participating in this local safety initiative."

Helmet Safety
The first and most important step in bicycle safety is wearing a helmet.
· Begin a "helmet habit" while your child is still on a tricycle. Encourage others to buy and wear helmets, and be sure you wear one each time you ride your bike. Set a good example from the start.
· Helmets should be worn level on the head - not tilted back on the crown or pulled low over the forehead. Once the helmet is adjusted, you should not be able to move it more than an inch in any direction. The strap should be comfortably snug.
· When purchasing a helmet, look for a sticker or label that says the helmet has been tested and meets the new federal safety standard issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
· Select a brand and size that fits well prior to adjustments. When choosing a helmet for a child, buy one that fits now and not one to "grow into."

Prevention Tips
· Take a few minutes to review the rules of the road with your family. Remember, a bicycle is considered a vehicle as soon as it enters a pathway, and bicyclists must obey most traffic signs and signals.
· Always wear a bicycle helmet, and always use hand signals to indicate left and right turns and stops. Review the standard hand signals with your children before heading out for a ride.
· A safe bicycle is one that is the right size for your child. The wrong size bike, especially one that is too large, may cause your child to lose control and become injured. He or she should be able to place the balls of both feet on the ground while sitting on the bike seat with hands on the handlebars. Another test: While straddling the center bar, your child should be able to keep both feet flat on the ground with about a 1-inch clearance between the crotch and the bar.
· Fluorescent- and bright-colored clothes will help motorists see you and your child better while biking. Avoid dark clothing, especially early in the morning or evening.
· Never ride barefoot, or wear flip-flops or shoes with cleats or heels while riding a bike - they will easily slip off the bike pedals and may cause you to lose control.
· Keeping your child's bicycle in good condition is also important. Take the time to ensure the tires, chain and wheels are operating correctly and smoothly.