Safety on Wheels

A head injury can quickly turn a fun outing into a disaster. Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, and winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, and other activities can be potentially dangerous.

Head Injuries

According to Consumer Product Safety Commission 2011 estimates, bicyclists received about 151,000 head injuries that were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms. Skateboarders visited hospital emergency rooms with about 18,000 head injuries.

Many of these injuries could have been prevented by wearing a helmet properly. Wearing a bicycle helmet while biking, for example, can reduce your risk of head injury by 85%, and reduce the risk of brain injury by 88%, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Wear a Helmet

There are different helmets for different activities. Be sure to wear a helmet that is appropriate for the activity. It is the law. All persons under 18 years of age must wear a helmet when riding anything on wheels including bicycle, skateboards, non-motorized scooter, and roller-blades per California Vehicle Code 21212 (a).

Correct Helmet

Do you know the correct way to wear a helmet? Which helmet for which activity? View helmet safety information and ensure your child is properly protected.