Establish the helmet habit early.

Have your children wear helmets as soon as they start to ride bikes - even if they are passengers on the back of an adult's bike. If they learn to wear helmets whenever they ride bikes, it becomes a habit for a lifetime. It's never too late, however, to get your children into helmets.

Wear a helmet yourself.

Children learn best by observing you. Whenever you ride your bike, put on your helmet. Plan bicycle outings during which all family members wear their helmets to further reinforce the message. The most important factor influencing children to wear helmets is riding with an adult who wears a helmet.

Talk to your children about why you want them to protect their heads.

There are many things you can tell your children to convince them of the importance of helmet use.

1. Bikes are vehicles, not toys.
2. You love and value them and their intelligence.
3. They can hurt their brains permanently or even die of head injuries.

Most professional athletes use helmets when participating in sports. Bicycle racers are now required to use them when racing in the United States and in the Olympics.

Reward your kids for wearing helmets.

Praise them; give them special treats or privileges when they wear their helmets without having to be told to.

Don't let children ride their bikes unless they wear their helmets.

Be consistent. If you allow your children to ride occasionally without their helmets, they won't believe that helmet use really is important. Tell your children they have to find another way to get where they are going if they don't want to use their helmets.

Encourage your children's friends to wear helmets.

Peer pressure can be used in a positive way if several families in the neighborhood start making helmet use a regular habit at the same time.

REMEMBER:

Accidents causing head injuries can occur on sidewalks, driveways, bike paths, and parks as well as on streets. You and your children cannot predict when a fall from a bike will occur. It's important to wear a helmet on every ride, no matter how short.

The information in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on the individual facts and circumstances.

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Dear Parent: Your child is old enough to learn how to prevent accidents. The games below are designed to help your child think about safety. Print these pages. Read the messages with your child and talk about them together. Then take post this Safety Sheet at home where everyone can see it.

It takes time to form a safety habit. Remind each other what it says. Make Safety a big part of your lives.

		Get the Helmet Habit! Directions: Break the code to read this message. On each line, write the alphabet letter that comes before the one above that line (the first two have been done for you).

DIRECTIONS: Circle the signs that belong to "Rules of the Road."
Be a smart and safe rider. Learn the "Rules of the Road."

DIRECTIONS: Use the code key to read this message
(the first letter has been done for you.)

NEVER RIDE AT NIGHT
Always put your bike away when the sun goes down.