Wellness and Prevention

Wear a helmet every time you lace up your roller blades or climb on your bike, skateboard, or scooter no matter what your age! A helmet only works when you wear it. Set an example by wearing a helmet and encouraging your friends to wear one.

Each year, more than 1,200 people die and thousands more are seriously injured in bicycle, roller blade, scooter and skateboard accidents. The most serious accidents involve head injuries. Many of these can be prevented by wearing a safety helmet that fits correctly.

1. Be sure your helmet has an ANSI or SNELL label certifying it is safe
2. Place a snug-fitting helmet on the child’s head
3. Adjust the helmet straps so the helmet cannot be moved from side to side or back and forth
4. There should be about one finger width between the chin strap and the child’s chin

• Wear a helmet and protective clothing, no matter how slowly you are riding
• Stop and look both ways for cars before entering the street from a driveway, parking lot or sidewalk
• Move with the traffic flow - ride on the right-hand side of the street
• Ride single-file and never carry any passengers on bicycles built for one
• Obey all traffic laws, signs and signals
• Slow down when approaching intersections - children should walk their bikes across busy intersections and streets
• If biking at night is necessary, equip your bike with a headlight and reflectors
• Always watch for potential hazards like loose gravel, potholes, wet leaves or other things that may cause you to crash
• Keep your bicycle under control
• Ride skateboards and scooters on the sidewalk
• Give cars and pedestrians the right-of-way and always pass them on the left
• Make sure your bike is a safe bike and the right size for you - both feet should touch the ground while sitting on the bicycle seat
• Check your brakes, tires and chain before you ride

• Entering the street from a driveway, sidewalk or curb without looking or yielding
• Crossing at intersections
• Making a left turn or swerving to avoid something Riding against traffic