Fit & Well Idaho Report: Bike and Helmet Safety

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — This week’s Fit and Well Idaho report is all about bike and helmet safety. The weather is getting nicer, which means kids and families a going to be riding their bikes outside sooner or later.

Every hour, almost 50 children visit the emergency departments with an injury related to bikes, scooters, skates or skateboards. This is why it is important to teach children the importance of helmets and follow some simple safety guidelines, create safe habits that last a lifetime.

To stay safe while riding, parents and children should wear a properly fitted helmet that can protect our brains from moving around and getting injured. St. Luke’s Children’s Injury Prevention specializes in fitting helmets for kid in need.

“We can provide you with a helmet, that way it will be properly fitted to your head just like this one and we can make sure it’s not going to move around, either side to side or front and back, and we can make sure as well that it is fitted just a couple of fingers above our forehead and then it shows a ‘V’ over our ears and fits snuggly under the chin, so that way we are safe when riding bikes, “ said St. Luke’s Children’s Injury Prevention staff, Jamie Stierstorfer.

People can set an appointment with St. Luke’s Children’s Injury Prevention to be fitted for a helmets. Services are provided to children between 1-years-old and 18-years-old. Some kids can also get a free helmet upon request.

“Almost 40 percent of traumatic deaths are from head injuries, and it causes more traumatic deaths than any other type of injury,” said Magic Valley Paramedic, Randy Morris. “So, head injuries are a pretty big deal and most of them are preventable, you just protect the noodle and you’re safer. So, we really want to put a high emphasis on that if you’re going to be outside on anything with wheels to enjoy the outdoors, please put a helmet on.”

Make sure to always wear bright reflective colors or use lights, especially when riding when its dark out. For more information on how to book an appointment and get a helmet,cal 208-814-7640 or stop by the Children’s Injury Prevention Office located at 601 Pole Line Road in Twin Falls.

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