Bikers should always wear helmet! |10 January 2018

As doctors say, "we can fix arms and legs – we can't fix head and neck". 

Bicycle riding is fun, healthy and a great way to be independent.

But it is important to remember that a bicycle is not a toy; it is a vehicle!

Bicycle helmets reduces the risk that children will get head injuries from accidents related to falls from riding a bike. Wearing a bicycle helmet prevents bicycle related deaths in children by 75%.

Less than 20% of reported bicycle injuries involve collisions with cars. Most injuries occur in falls, or as a result of the rider loses control. A bad fall can be the result from a skid, catching a wheel in a crack or even get a shoelace caught in the chain.

It is usually the forehead that hits the ground first. Head injuries are one the most common of bicycle-related accidents and can result in serious injury such as disability, brain damage and in the worst case scenario death.

Helmets are the most important protective gear for bikers. Helmets should fit appropriately and the straps should be fastened.

A helmet should be worn squarely on top of the head, cover the forehead, the back of the head and the crown.

If it is tipped back, it will not protect the forehead. The helmet fits well if it doesn't move around on the head or slide down over the eyes when pushed or pulled. The chin strap should be adjusted to fit snugly.

A badly fitting helmet can cause serious harm. 

The essential part of the helmet for impact protection is a thick layer of firm polystyrene, a plastic foam, which crushes on impact and absorbs the force of the blow. 

A helmet that has been through a serious fall or crash shall be retired with gratitude. It has served its purpose and maybe not provide adequate protection in another crash. Impacts crush some of the foam and the helmet is less protective even if the damage of the helmet isn’t visible to the eye. If you are uncertain whether the helmet is still usable, throw it away.

Playgrounds and bicycle helmets are not a good combination!

There is a "hidden hazard" of strangulation if a child wears a helmet while playing on playground equipment.

There have been cases of young children suffering death or severe brain damage as a result of being hanged by the straps of their bicycle helmets when they have been playing on a playground.

Be sure to teach children to remove their helmets before using playground equipment or climbing trees!

Visit Playtime Seychelles website www.ipa-playtime-seychelles.org and download our safety publications for free on Safety Corner publications.

Contributed by Playtime Seychelles