OUT &
ABOUT SAFETY – Safety On Wheels
Safety on Wheels
Seeing your
child pedal, skate or skateboard down the sidewalk for the first time can be a
memorable moment for any parent.
However, these items are associated with more childhood injuries than
any other products aside form the motor vehicle, so it is important that
parents practice and insist on the following Safety on Wheels rules:
Helmet
Tips
Don’t negotiate. Kids, especially 11- to
14-year-olds, are sometimes reluctant to wear helmets. It’s estimated that 75
percent of bicycle-related deaths among children could be prevented with a
bicycle helmet.
Buy a helmet that meets or exceeds
current safety standards developed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Contact the Tucson fire Department Public Education Department information on
low or no cost bike helmet programs in your area (520)
791-4502
Do the "Eyes, Ears and Mouth" check:
EYES check: Position the helmet on your
head. Look up and you should see the bottom rim of the helmet (one to two
fingers above the eyebrows).
EARS check: Make sure the straps
of the helmet form a "V" under your ears when buckled. The
strap should be snug but comfortable.
MOUTH check: Now open your mouth
as wide as you can! Do you feel the helmet hug your head? If not,
tighten those straps!
Rider Safety
Restrict cyclists to sidewalks and paths
until they reach the age of 10 and can demonstrate they know the rules of the
road.
Restrict skaters and skateboarders to
sidewalks, paths, or designated riding areas at all times.
Ensure that bikes have light and
reflectors on the front, back and sides.
Teach children that a bicycle is a
vehicle, not a toy. Riding a bike – especially around traffic – is an important
responsibility.
Ride with traffic, not against it. Ride
as far to the right as possible.
Use appropriate hand signals.
Respect traffic signals. Stop at all stop
signs and red lights.
Stop and look left, right and left
again before entering a street.
Look back and yield to traffic coming
from behind before turning left at intersections.