Helmet Safety

You should wear a helmet each and every time! Tricycle, Bicycle, Motorcycle, ATV, Skating, Boarding, Rock Climbing, Water Sports and all other Extreme Sports…strap it on to stay safe so you can go out and do it all over again.

Carlos Trevino, MD, and Tami Larson, LPN, communicate to their patients the importance of “Helmet Safety” by having a Bicycle Helmet Safety board displayed in their office. Larson changes the board four times a year to educate patients on safety and health issues. Dr. Trevino displays the helmet his son, Nicolas, wore while riding his bike. The helmet now sits on a table in their waiting room to remind patients of the importance of helmets. There is a large piece broken off. Dr. Trevino says, “This could have been a head injury if Nicolas would not have been wearing it. Because I insist he wears it when he rides he was not hurt.”

Your helmet should fit you properly. You don’t want it too small or too big. Never wear a hat under your helmet. If you’re unsure if your helmet fits you well, ask someone who is knowledgably. Richland County Health Department has numerous resources along with your medical providers and there are numerous internet sites that can provide you with “safety information”.

A helmet absorbs the impact of a fall and prevents injuries to your head and neck. These injuries could include skull fractures, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries and could lead to concussion, paralysis, developmental delays, and even death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 51,000 bicyclists were injured in traffic in 2009. Due to statistics like this there are standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for helmets.

Richland County Health Department along with Dr. Trevino and his nurse Tami Larson would like to encourage every parent to insist on the use of helmets when their children are participating in an activity that necessitates the use of one….and every adult to use a helmet when they are evolved in a activity that necessitates one. Be a good example, be a leader, be smart and be safe. Even a low speed fall can lead to scrambled brains!