Head Injury Verse

It Doesn't Take Much Force To Cause A Head Injury

Head injuries are the number one cause of serious injury and death to kids on wheeled equipment such as bicycles, in-line skates, scooters and skateboards. Few people realize that the human skull is more fragile than it looks.

"The human skull is just one centimetre thick, about the same thickness as a ballpoint pen," says Amy Zierler, information specialist at Safe Kids Canada. "It can be shattered by an impact of seven to 10 kilometres an hour." Young cyclists ride at speeds averaging 11 to 16 kilometres an hour. If a crash happens, a correctly worn helmet cuts the risk of injury by as much as 88 per cent.

Even mild head injuries can cause long-term problems. Children with mild head injuries usually have trouble with their memory, concentration, and paying attention. This makes learning difficult. They may also have headaches, dizzy spells, and fatigue. For one in ten children, these difficulties may last a lifetime.

"Human skulls weren't designed for impact at high speeds," says Ms Zierler. "Any time you are moving faster than you can run, wear a helmet."

For more information about safety on wheels, call Safe Kids Canada at 1 888 SAFE TIPS or visit www.safekidscanada.ca. The "Got Wheels - Get a Helmet!" campaign, held during Safe Kids Week, runs from June 3 to June 9 and is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. J&J is providing an additional $100,000 to buy helmets for children from low-income families across Canada. During Safe Kids Week, a portion of each purchase of participating J&J and McNeil products will be donated to the program.

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