NOMA 411 - with Jessica ShapleyIf you take out the bike, make sure the helmet follows Spring has sprung and with that, out come the bicycles, scooters, Heelys. With more speed and fun come an increase in the number of head injuries and broken bones. This makes sense: More opportunity and sometimes less precaution. My husband, Bill Gallagher, is a physical therapist. He knows first-hand the repercussions of traumatic brain injuries due to bike accidents when correct helmet use is not implemented. Even with this information, I am embarrassed to say that up until recently I did not enforce a helmet rule with my children. I dismissed, or denied, the idea that anything horrible could happen. Not long ago my younger daughter went on a scooter-riding play date with a friend. Her family enforced the helmet rule, and I am grateful to them for initiating this protocol, and am committed to the adherence to this rule. A quick look around the Internet helped reinforce that commitment. This is what I found: According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, 45-88 percent of cyclists' brain injuries can be prevented by a helmet. But not just any helmet. There are some very important rules to wearing a helmet properly. The fit should be snug, and the straps should be tight under the chin. Look at it from the side; the helmet should be forward on the head, not hanging back off the head. But what if your kid isn’t wearing a helmet and does fall off? Generally the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that anything more than a mild bump should be called into your pediatrician, it might or might not warrant a trip to the emergency room. Some warning signs (from uptodate.com) are: If the child has recurrent vomiting If the child has a seizure (convulsion) If the child loses consciousness after the injury If the child develops a headache that is severe or worsens with time If there are changes in the child's behavior (lethargic, difficult to wake, extremely irritable, or exhibiting other abnormal behavior) If the child stumbles, or has difficulty walking, clumsiness, or lack of coordination If the child is confused or has slurred speech If the child has dizziness that does not resolve or recurs repeatedly If blood or watery fluid oozes from the nose or ears If the child is younger than six months of age If a cut will not stop bleeding after applying pressure for 10 minutes If the child fell from a height greater than five feet, was hit with a high speed object, or was hit with great force If the parent/caregiver is concerned about how the child is acting. If your child is too young for a bike or scooter, it’s not too soon for some simple precautions. Even if your baby is not rolling (or so you think), don't leave them propped up in a seated position on couch or lying in the middle of a bed. It's such a common practice and an avoidable accident that can happen in a split second. Remember to buckle babies into their strollers. When babies/toddler can stand, remember to put the crib mattress on the lowest setting. Check out two other great sites: kidshealth.org and parentspress.com. In the meantime, I am off to the store to buy myself a new helmet.
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