Planning to give a bicycle for Christmas?

By Pam Lincoln
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Agent
With Christmas approaching, many parents are planning to give their child a new bicycle – maybe even their first bicycle. This is an excellent opportunity to teach children about the importance of wearing a helmet to protect their head. 
According to National Safe Kids, helmets can reduce the risk of severe brain injury by up to 88 percent, but only 45 percent of children wear bike helmets. According to National Safe Kids, bicycles are associated with more injuries in children than any other product except automobiles. 
Other studies from the organization found that nearly half of the hospitalizations related to bicycles are traumatic injury to the brain. Helmets should be considered an important part of bike riding. Read more in our e-edition:  http://www.etypeservices.com/SWF/LocalUser/Casscounty1//Magazine41090/Full/index.aspx?id=41090
 
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