WASHINGTON, May 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As children across the country take part in National Bike to School Day (May 10), a new report from Safe Kids Worldwide and Nationwide's Make Safe Happen program reveals alarming news about the risks kids take when riding bikes, scooters, skates and skateboards. Nearly 40 percent of the 1,600 parents surveyed admitted that their child doesn't always wear a helmet while riding, even though more than 426,000 children – nearly 50 every hour – visited an emergency department (ED) in 2015 due to a wheeled sports-related injury.
The report, "Ready for the Ride: Keeping Kids Safe on Wheels," explores parents' beliefs and actions to protect kids while bicycling, scootering, skating and skateboarding. While statistics show helmet use is on the rise, this report uncovers a concerning number of parents who do not require their children to wear a helmet. Research shows that helmets and other protective equipment are the best way to prevent injuries while riding, and the new report suggests that more work needs to be done to protect kids at play.
"We know that kids follow their parents lead, and if they see their parents wearing their helmets, it's much more likely they'll do so as well," said Torine Creppy, Interim President at Safe Kids Worldwide. "And just making sure that kids have a comfortable, properly-fitted helmet will do wonders to keep that helmet in place and give kids a safe ride."
"While it's encouraging that the bike-related injuries are down, the number of kids still getting hurt is far too high – especially considering that many of these injuries could be avoided by simply wearing a helmet and other safety equipment," said Mike Boyd, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Nationwide. "We're hoping this information will remind parents and children alike about the importance of wearing a helmet every time they bike, skate or ride a scooter."
Why Aren't Kids Wearing Helmets?
Some kids don't wear helmets because their parents don't require it. Nearly half of parents said that they or the child's other parent don't always make them wear it.
Twenty-five percent of parents said that their child simply won't wear helmets, saying they find them uncomfortable or uncool.
No matter what kids are riding, it's important for them to wear helmets and protective gear. Injuries can happen on any type of wheels.
Most parents surveyed – 9 out of 10 – believe that their community is very or somewhat safe for riding. But among parents who report their child doesn't always wear a helmet, 30 percent say it's because the child is not riding in a "dangerous" area.
Rural parents were more likely to say helmets aren't necessary (60%) than urban parents (40%), but research suggests children riding in rural areas are at a higher risk for injury.
Even if a child is riding a bike in a driveway, concrete is concrete. It's important for kids to use their helmets and protective gear no matter where they're riding.
Make Safe Happen® is a program dedicated to reducing accidental injury – the leading cause of death among children. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly nine million children are treated at emergency rooms across the country and nearly 8,000 children die each year due to accidental injuries. Protecting child safety and wellbeing for more than 60 years, Nationwide launched Make Safe Happen® in 2015 to empower parents, caregivers and children with tools and resources to make homes safer. Together with its Advisory Council, including Nationwide Children's Hospital and Safe Kids Worldwide, the Make Safe Happen® program has delivered over one million safety actions through 2016 with the hope of reducing childhood accidental injury and death. To learn more and take action, visit www.makesafehappen.com.