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TOMS RIVER, NJ, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 – According to the Brain
Injury Association of New Jersey, approximately 200,000 Americans
suffer brain injuries each year as the result of riding a bicycle,
scooter, skateboard or rollerblades/skates. The Emergency Department
at Community Medical Center reminds all parents and children that
in New Jersey, state law requires anyone under age 17 must wear
a helmet while bicycling, skateboarding or rollerskating/blading.
Laurence DesRochers, MD, chairman of Emergency Medicine at Community
Medical Center, said, “Injuries to a child’s brain
do not heal like a broken bone, cut or scrape. Brain injuries,
if survived, can have devastating effects that last a lifetime.
The reality is the most common cause of death among children riding
bicycles is head injury.”
Dr. DesRochers said brain injuries can occur even from a simple
fall from a bike, skateboard, scooter or skates. “Most people
think of brain injuries occurring from a significant impact such
as with a motor vehicle, and while that is true, serious injuries
can occur in a park, sidewalk or even a driveway. That is why is
imperative that children wear helmets at all times.”
According to New Jersey law, failure to wear a helmet can result
in a $25 fine for the first offense and up to $100 for subsequent
offenses. Dr. DesRochers said, “A brain injury can affect
the way your child thinks, acts, speaks, walks and lives for the
rest of their life. If the professional skateboarders and bicyclists
can wear a helmet and still be ‘cool’, so should
your child.”
The Emergency Department at Community Medical Center reminds everyone
of the following safety tips:
- A helmet should fit directly over the forehead, two fingers
above the eyebrows.
- The chin straps should fit snug and form a “V” on
either side of the ears. Only two fingers should fit under the
strap.
- Wear light colored clothing that makes riders visible to drivers.
- Under New Jersey law, all bicycles must be equipped with a
horn or bell, as well as rear and pedal reflectors.
- Obey all traffic rules, laws, signs and signals. Ride with
traffic.
- According to the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety,
more than 70% of bicycle crashes occur at driveways or intersections.
Always look left, right and left again before proceeding into
intersection.
- Keep bikes, scooters, skateboards and skates in proper working
order with tires properly inflated and seat adjusted.
Dr. DesRochers said, “Talk to your children about the importance
of wearing a helmet and the risks of brain injury and their consequences.
An accident can happen in a split second, so no matter where your
child is, if they are riding, they need a helmet.”
For more information on the Emergency Department at Community
Medical Center, visit www.saintbarnabas.com or
call
1-888-724-7123.
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