The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Kids are usually over-eager in spring to resume their favourite outdoor activities, and many Ð excited by a new bicycle, rollerblades, or a new sports team Ð will take some recreational risks for the very first time. Teaching children "safety first" with their recreational fun is as important as the safety lessons required for any other daily activity, say experts in this field Ð and instilling good habits now should protect them for a lifetime. Cycling is one example. According to data posted on the Ministry of Health Promotion website, HealthyOntario.com, cycling is the number one cause of "injury hospitalization" at this time of year. A report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information confirms that in 2002-2003, an average of 12 people per day were hospitalized in Canada for bicycle-related injuries. One-third of all cases were children and youth between the ages of five and 14 years. Safe cycling practices however, combined with safe cycling environments, can go a long way towards reducing needless and painful injuries. Be sure to choose a bicycle helmet when bike riding, in-line skating or scooter riding. Helmets can prevent serious head trauma, but a helmet is only as good as it fits. It's important to buy the right size, so try the helmet on your child's head before you buy it. Make sure it's comfortable and not too big. Items such as baseball caps, big hair clips and headphones should never be worn under a helmet.
