Be Prepared Before Heading Out
- Ride a bike that fits you—if it’s too big, it’s harder to control the bike.
- Ride a bike that works—it really doesn’t matter how well you ride if the brakes don’t work.
- Wear equipment to protect you and make you more visible to others, like a bike helmet, bright clothing (during the day), reflective gear, and a white front light and red rear light and reflectors on your bike (at night, or when visibility is poor).
- Ride one per seat, with both hands on the handlebars, unless signaling a turn.
- Carry all items in a backpack or strapped to the back of the bike.
- Tuck and tie your shoe laces and pant legs so they don’t get caught in your bike chain.
- Plan your route—if driving as a vehicle on the road, choose routes with less traffic and slower speeds. Your safest route may be away from traffic altogether, in a bike lane or on a bike path.
Drive Defensively - Focused and Alert
Be focused and alert to the road and all traffic around you; anticipate what others may do, before they do it. This is defensive driving—the quicker you notice a potential conflict, the quicker you can act to avoid a potential crash:
- Drive with the flow, in the same direction as traffic.
- Obey street signs, signals, and road markings, just like a car.
- Assume the other person doesn’t see you; look ahead for hazards or situations to avoid that may cause you to fall, like toys, pebbles, potholes, grates, train tracks.
- No texting, listening to music or using anything that distracts you by taking your eyes and ears or your mind off the road and traffic.
Learn more from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
CDC HEADS UP
Safe brain, Stronger Future.
Keeping children and teens healthy and safe is always a top priority. Whether you are a parent, youth sports coach, school coach, school professional, or health care provider, this site will help you recognize, respond to, and minimize the risk of concussion or other serious brain injury.
Does your helmet fit properly?
Take the Helmet Fit Test from Safe Kids Worldwide.
- Eyes
- Put your helmet on your head. Look up. You should see the bottom rim of the helmet.
- Ears
- Make sure the straps form a "V" under your ears when buckled. The straps should be a little tight but comfortable.
- Mouth
- Open your mouth as wide as you can. Does the helmat hug your head? If not, tighten the straps.
Now, you're ready to roll!
Sports Safety - Children's Safety Network
Sporting activities can improve both the physical and mental health of children, teaching them to work with other children and improving their coordination and confidence. Safety precautions and equipment can be instrumental in preventing or lessening injuries from sporting activities. The environment in which sports are played also has an impact on injury risks. Organized sports take place at schools, public parks, or recreation centers. More casual sports activities take place in backyards, streets, or neighborhood courts.
Magnitude of the Problem:
According to Safe Kids:
- Each year, over 38 million children and adolescents participate in some sports in the U.S.
- Over 3.5 million children under the age of fifteen receive medical treatment due to sports injuries.
- 62% of injuries from organized sports occur during practice, not games. According to a national survey, 27% of parents don’t always take the same safety precautions during practice as in games.
- The most common cause of sports-related death is traumatic brain injury; sports and recreation account for one out of five TBIs in children.
- Sprains (usually ankle) are the most common sports-related injury in children.
Prevention:
The environment children play in (e.g., heat, protective ground surface, properly maintained equipment); proper safety equipment (e.g., helmets, padding); supervision; physical check-ups; and regular hydration are just a few of the factors that should be considered to prevent injuries to children while they are playing sports. In addition, assuring that children are in age- and ability-appropriate activities can help prevent stress-related mental health issues.