Grove City Medical Center News

Bicycle Safety

Statistically, kids are at high risk for bicycle-related injuries because more than 70 percent of 5- to 14-year-olds ride bicycles, and they ride about 50 percent more than the average bicyclist. It’s easy to understand why they also account for approximately one-quarter of all bicycle-related deaths and more than half of all bicycle-related injuries.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health, in conjunction with Pennsylvania Safe Kids Coalition, has enlisted the help of hospitals throughout the state to help prevent head injuries sustained from bicycle accidents. Each year, 130,000 children receive serious head injuries while bicycling. Head injury is the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes and is the most important determinant of death and permanent disability. Through the “Bike Smart From the Start” program, children who visit the emergency department at Grove City Medical Center due to injuries sustained in a bicycle accident will receive a bike helmet at no cost. “Wearing a bicycle helmet is the smart thing to do,” said Janet Anderson, R.N., Injury Prevention Nurse Coordinator with the PA Department of Health, “and, also, it’s the law.” PA law requires all children under 12 years of age riding a bicycle, riding in a child’s seat on an adult’s bicycle, or being towed in a child trailer by a bicycle to wear a helmet.

Anderson met recently with Anthony Bono, R.N., Director of Grove City Medical Center’s Emergency Department to present the hospital with a supply of helmets as well as to provide instruction on the proper procedure for fitting a child with an appropriate helmet. Should all of the helmets be distributed to area children during the summer months, Mercer County Safe Kids Coalition has graciously extended an offer to restock their supply. “Our goal is for all children in Mercer County to bicycle safely, whether or not their parents can afford to purchase the necessary safety equipment,” said Susan L. Kish, Family Life Education Director for Children’s Aid Society of Mercer County, parent agency to the Safe Kids Coalition.

“We’re more than happy to participate in this worthwhile program,” said Bono. “Initiatives such as this help us raise awareness about the seriousness of head injuries in children—and do something to prevent them.”