Skating Safety Poem

Can Your Child Ride Or Skate Safely?

Riding a bike, scooter, skateboard or using in-line skates is great for kids. These activities help build physical fitness, motor skills and self-esteem. But the number one cause of injuries is loss of control of the equipment. Safe Kids Canada recommends that children wear helmets and other safety gear, and that parents check children's abilities to make sure they are able to:
* Keep their balance.
* Control their speed.
* Ride or skate in a straight line.
* Turn without losing control or falling.
* Stop without losing control or falling.
* Notice other people or objects, and avoid running into them.
* Check over the shoulder without losing control or swerving.

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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Helmets Work Opus

Helmets Work: The Trick Is Getting Your Child To Wear One

Bikes, scooters, skateboards and in-line skates are popular with Canadian children. But it's important to stay safe, stresses Safe Kids Canada.

Head injuries are the number one cause of serious injury and death to kids on wheels, says Amy Zierler, information specialist at Safe Kids Canada. "The good news is that a correctly worn helmet cuts the risk of serious head or brain injury by as much as 88 per cent."

In Canada, only half of children wear helmets while riding a bike, even though bike helmet legislation exists in five provinces.

"The best way to get your children to wear helmets is to start early and get them involved in the process," says Ms Zierler. She recommends these tips to help your child get into the helmet habit:

1. Start early. Begin the helmet habit with the child's very first set of wheels (e.g. tricycle).

2. Take your child shopping. Let your child pick out the helmet he or she likes. Bike helmets are suitable for bikes, scooters and in-line skates; skateboarders need special skateboarding helmets that cover more of the back of the head.

3. Fit counts. A properly fitted helmet protects your child's head better, and it's more comfortable for him or her. Try them on in the store.

4. Explain. Tell your child how a helmet protects his or her head and brain.

5. Positive re-enforcement. Praise and reward your child for wearing a helmet.

6. Be firm. Always insist your child wear a helmet when he or she is out on wheels, even when close to home (where the majority of incidents take place).

7. Be a role model. When you're out on wheels, wear your own 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.

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

Safety On Wheels Poem

Three Steps To Safety On Wheels

Are your kids safe when riding on wheels - bicycles, scooters, skateboards or in-line skates? Safe Kids Canada, a national child safety program, has launched the "Got Wheels - Get a Helmet!" campaign this spring. Safe Kids Canada urges Canadians to follow these three tips to keep their children safe:

1. Make sure your child wears a helmet that fits correctly, as well as other protective gear.
Bike: bike helmet.
Scooter: a bike helmet, elbow pads and knee pads.
In-line skates: a bike helmet, wrist pads, elbow pads and knee pads.
Skateboard: a skateboard helmet, wrist pads, elbow pads and knee pads.

2. Make sure your child rides or skates in a safe environment - away from cars and other vehicles.
Scooters, in-line skates, and skateboards do not belong on the road.
Bicycles are classed as vehicles, but research shows that children under 10 should not ride their bicycles on the road. They do not have the physical skills or the judgment to stay safe in traffic. Children over 10 need good training and lots of practice before they can ride on the road. Kids need to practice these skills with adult supervision in safe places.

3. Supervise children until at least eight years of age. Know your child's abilities.
Most injuries on wheels happen because children lose control and fall. Children need to practice controlling their equipment, and they need your guidance.
Your child needs to learn basic skills, such as controlling speed and turns, braking, balancing and avoiding obstacles.
Reinforce safety rules while you supervise.
Sometime between the ages of 8 and 10, your child will develop the coordination and judgment required to ride or skate safely without your supervision - but not near traffic.

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.

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.


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