Southwest Florida’s weather is beautiful, especially during the winter months. It’s a good time for everyone to enjoy outdoor sports, especially those on wheels. Every hour nearly 50 children visit an emergency department with an injury related to activities on wheels.
If individuals received a Christmas gift of a sports wheel, such as a bike, scooter, skate, skateboard, or ATV, they need to protect their head as this is the number one injury. Head injuries can be prevented by wearing an appropriately fitted helmet:
- The helmet should have a CS PC label
- The helmet should fit snuggly on the head,
- The helmet should be two finger lengths above the eyebrow
- The helmet should have a v-strap on each ear
- The helmet should feel snug when opening the mouth
- The helmet should fit snuggly under the chin
The helmet should be worn whenever an individual is on wheels. Children mimic their parents, so parents should wear a helmet when doing any wheeled activity. Head injuries account for 11 percent of emergency department visits, followed by factures to the shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist and hand. Knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards are also recommended.
The Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition wants everyone on wheels to be safe consciou. The Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition serves as a collaborative effort or partnership whose function is to facilitate partners’ work and act as a catalyst for injury prevention initiatives. Its mission is to prevent injury, disability, and death through advocacy, education, legislation, and partnerships.
Additional information about the Injury Prevention Coalition or safety on wheels may contact Brian Raimondo at ipcleecounty@gmail.com or 239-330-2240.
