THE STUNNING PHOTOGRAPH AND MESSAGE OF A PEDIATRICIAN, WHICH SHOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILDREN ALWAYS WEARING A HELMET

As parents, in addition to being responsible for our children's basic things, such as their care, hygiene and food, we must also take care of their safety, both to procure it and to teach them to take precaution or what steps to take to stay safe.

As far as fun or leisure is concerned, we have the use of the bicycle, for which it is essential to always wear adequate protection. As a reminder, we have the publication of a pediatrician, who Through a clear and forceful photograph, it shows the importance of children always wearing their helmet.

Walking or riding a bike is an activity full of benefits for children and adults, but which we must always do with caution, following the necessary recommendations to keep us safe. One of them is helmet use always, which helps protect our head in case of an accident.

In Babies and moreChildren by bike, always with a helmet

And although we know that it is a basic security measure, many parents and children do not usually give it the importance it deserves. And so, Free Hess, who is a mother and pediatrician, decided to share on her Facebook page a photograph of the final result that a helmet had after an accident.

In it, we can not only see how the helmet has been destroyed after impact (it does not specify whether against the ground or against another object), and explains from her experience as a doctor, how wearing a helmet can make a big difference in the damage that a bicycle accident can cause.

I see children in my pediatric emergency room for head trauma after falling off a bicycle very frequently. Some of these children have been hit by cars, but many suffer head injuries simply by losing control of their bicycles while riding them.
Helmets in these situations can make the difference between a simple concussion, and a serious neurological injury or even death.
A survey conducted recently by the University of Michigan showed that 18% of parents admit that their children do not wear a helmet. That is 1 in 5 children. This makes no sense to me.
Look at this helmet. Imagine this blow being received by the head of a child WITHOUT the protection of a helmet.
If your child rides a bike, skateboard, ice skates, inline skates, skateboards or anything that has a risk of head injury, he needs to wear a helmet. ALL THE TIME.
Show a good example and make sure you always have one too. Your children need you as much as you need them!

The publication of this pediatrician and mother, in which she also shares the link to the study she mentions, has been received in a positive way, thanking her message and the use of a real photograph to show the importance of wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle.

Also, it has been filled with comments from people telling testimonies of relatives or themselves, who have had blows to the head when riding a bicycle or riding a horse, and that thanks to the correct use of the helmet, has not passed beyond a strong blow to the head, as well as others, in which they admit that if they had worn a helmet, the consequences of their accidents would have been minor.

Let's enjoy riding a bike, but always safely

Any activity we do with our children (or alone) should always be carried out taking into account the recommendations so that it is safe. In the case of the bicycle, safety must always be a priority for the whole family, as accidents can happen even when it's during a simple fall for losing balance or control of it.

Regarding the use of a helmet, in the Guide for bicycle users of the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), we can find the safety elements to ride a bicycle, among which the use of the helmet and on which we give the following recommendations:

It must be homologated. This means that it must be durable, of reduced weight, well ventilated, easy to remove and put on, must allow its use with glasses and not interfere with the ability to hear traffic noise. It must also offer a viewing angle of at least 105º to the left and right, an angle of 25º up and 40º down.
It must not have blows. In that case you have to replace it. The case must be in perfect condition to be effective.
It must be the right size. If it has remained small, it must be changed; It doesn't have to be lazy either. It should fit perfectly on the child's head, without tightening, that it is comfortable but firm.
It must be well placed. It should fit over the top of the head and cover the upper part of the forehead placed one or two fingers above the eyebrows. The side straps have to be tight and the buckle on the chin. The helmet should not move either sideways or forward and backward.
All children and teenagers they must wear the helmet every time they ride a bicycle.
Parents and other adults should wear a helmet whenever they use the bicycle. Remember that we set the example, and we must teach safe behaviors to our children, explaining why it is necessary and important to protect their head.
About young children who go as passengers, must wear a properly adjusted helmet and travel in an additional seat approved up to seven years.
Recall also that for some years, All children under 16 traveling by city must wear a helmet.

Wearing a helmet will allow children and adults to circulate safely and will help prevent strong injuries in the event of an accident., not only by bicycle, but in all other vehicles or toys that the pediatrician has mentioned in his publication, and that many times we assume that they do not require the use of a helmet.