“Caught Being Safe” Initiative Returns
For the Wausau Times
WAUSAU, Wis. – Warm weather brings the return of many favorite outdoor activities such as riding bikes, scooters, roller skates, and skateboards. These activities are a great way to have fun and stay active. However, these activities also involve a risk of injury.
That’s why Aspirus Health and Safe Kids Marathon County partners are joining forces to bring the national “Caught Being Safe” initiative back to Marathon County this summer to encourage kids to wear helmets for wheeled sports.
“Children ages 5-14 are seen in the emergency room for bike-related injuries more than any other sport, yet less than half of children Ages 14 and younger wear helmets,” said Amanda Tabin, Safe Kids and Injury Prevention Coordinator at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. “Nearly half of the children hospitalized for bike-related injuries are diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. Wearing a helmet for activities like riding a bike can reduce the risk of severe brain injuries by up to 85 percent.”
Safe Kids Marathon County partners, such as officers from the Wausau and Everest Metro Police Departments, will keep an eye out for kids wearing a helmet when participating in wheeled sports such as riding a bike or scooter. For those “caught being safe” and wearing a helmet, they will be rewarded with a coupon for one free small cake cone at any Briq’s Soft Serve location. In addition, kids that do not have a helmet may receive a ticket they can redeem for a free helmet.
“We love to see citizens and visitors outside using their bicycles to enjoy the outdoors, but we also know that crashes happen with riders of all skills and abilities” said Lieutenant Nathan Cihlar with Wausau Police Department. “Caught Being Safe is a good reminder and extra incentive for kids to protect all the fun they want to squeeze into summer by wearing a helmet whenever venturing out for a ride.”
For more bicycle safety tips, such as how to properly fit a helmet, visit https://www.aspirus.org/bicycle-safety.