Riding a bicycle and other recreational activities are important for children’s health. Unfortunately, these activities also carry a risk of injury. Most injuries, including head injuries in bicycle accidents for example, can be prevented by the use of appropriate equipment such as a bike helmet when riding a bicycle.

To protect your head in bicyle accidents, it’s important that the helmet fit properly. Here are some helmet fit tips:

• The helmet should cover the top of the forehead and should rest about two fingers’ width above the eyebrows

• The side straps should fit snugly around your ears in a “V” shape

• The buckles on the side strap should fit right under the ear.

• Buckle the chin strap and tighten it until you can fit only one finger between the strap and your chin

• Check the helmet fit every time you wear your helmet

If a bike helmet has been dropped or was involved in an accident, it should be replaced, even if there is no visible damage.

In Ontario, bike helmets are required for children riding a bicycle. However, some children in Ottawa do not have helmets because their family simply cannot afford to buy one.

As personal injury lawyers, we understand the importance of safety and injury prevention. On behalf of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) and their Helmets on Kids campaign, our firm helps raise funds every year to purchase bicycle helmets for local elementary school children who might not otherwise have a helmet. We spearheaded the expansion of the Helmets on Kids campaign to Ottawa in 2008. Since then, we have raised over $30,000 through donations and, with those funds, were able to purchase and distribute more than 4000 helmets to Ottawa children. This year, we distributed over 700 helmets in local elementary schools.

We are proud to work on this project with the following partners: Citizens for Safe Cycling, Plan-it-Safe (CHEO), Parachute, Brain Injury Association of the Ottawa Valley, Vista Centre, Ottawa Police Service, Ottawa Safety Council, Safe Communities Ottawa and the Public Health of the City of Ottawa.

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