Keeping kids safe

The number one health risk for America’s children isn’t violence, drugs, or disease. It’s injuries. Every year more than 7,500 children under the age of 15 are killed from unintentional injuries and 50,000 are permanently disabled.

The leading causes of harm to young people are traffic crashes, fires and burns, falls, drownings, firearm injuries, and poisonings. The good news is that many of these injuries can be prevented by taking simple safety steps.

The riskiest item for most families is the most common: a child’s bicycle. With spring coming shortly and the weather becoming more bicycle-friendly, it’s a good idea to remember some simple precautions.

California law prohibits persons under the age of 18 from riding or being a passenger on a bike without wearing an approved helmet. Bicycle helmets have been proven to greatly reduce the probability that children will die as a result of serious head injuries.

Here’s how to help your children prevent the five most common bike/vehicle crashes, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California:

1.  The mid-block rideout — In this situation, the bicyclist suddenly enters the roadway from a driveway, curb, or alley without stopping, leaving the motorist no time to avoid a collision. To prevent this occurrence: Riders should stop and look left-right-left before entering a roadway.

2.  Wrong-way riding — Motorists do not expect bicyclists to be approaching from the wrong way. To prevent these accidents: Rider should go with the flow. They should ride on the right, with traffic, just like cars do.

3.  Motorist overtaking cyclist — In this situation, the motorist fails to see the bicyclist until it is too late. To prevent this: Riders should avoid riding at night, on narrow roads, or where highway speeds exceed 35 mph.

4.  Left turn or sudden swerve — In these cases the bicyclist swerves to the left without checking traffic or signaling, and moves in the path of an overtaking vehicle. To prevent this: Riders should be predictable, and always ride in a straight line.

5.  Stop sign rideout — In these cases, the bicyclist enters an intersection controlled by a stop sign and collides with a vehicle approaching from an uncontrolled lane. To prevent this: Riders should obey all traffic signs and signals. At busy intersections, they should get off their bike and walk across the street like a pedestrian.

These are simple steps to take, but they can save a lot of pain and heartache.