Helmet Safety

December 11, 2002

Dear Sir,

In recent weeks we have had three children admitted to the children's ward of the King Edward VII Memorial hospital with head injuries sustained while riding a bicycle or other wheeled vehicle when not wearing a bicycle helmet.

We are concerned that these injuries are almost entirely preventable, up to 88 percent of the time in several published studies, by the simple wearing of a bicycle helmet.

We have further concern arising from the publications in the medical literature about the future potential for learning problems and other neurological dysfunction after otherwise apparently full recoveries from a head injuries in children.

Our writing at this time is triggered by this recent experience, and by a recognition that Christmas is often a time for the purchase of a bicycle for children. We wish to appeal to parents and to the bicycle dealerships to link bicycle purchases and sales with that of an appropriate size and model of bicycle helmet.

We recognise and applaud the discount offered by several dealerships on the purchase of a bicycle helmet with the purchase of a new bicycle that we learned of while verifying some of the data used to write this letter.

While we do not have legislation requiring the use of bicycle helmets there is much we as a community can do in its absence. Community education campaigns can increase the use of bicycle helmets to around the 45 percent level, legislation can increase it substantially further, however the most effective influence on whether children wear bicycle helmets is whether their parents wear a bicycle helmet when they go riding with their children. This has been shown to increase bicycle helmet wearing by children to greater than 90 percent.

Our appeal to parents is: Please remember for your child's safety and well being to ensure your child always wears a bicycle helmet when riding his or her bicycle or other wheeled vehicle, and that the strongest influence, is the example you set.

Some tips for getting children to wear bicycle helmets are:

1.Establish the helmet habit early - as soon as they start to ride bikes, even tricycles. But don't worry.It's never too late to get your children into helmets.

2.Talk to your children about why you want them to protect their heads - There are many things you can tell your children to convince them of the importance of helmet use:

Bikes are vehicles, not toys.

You love and value them and their intelligence.

They can hurt their brains permanently or even die of head injuries.

Brains don't heal like cuts or broken bones. That's why football players, horseback riders and construction workers wear helmets.

3. Reward your kids for wearing helmets - praise them; give them special treats or privileges when they wear their helmets without being reminded.

4. Don't let children ride their bikes unless they wear their helmets - be consistent. If you allow your children to ride occasionally without their helmets, they won't believe that helmet use really is important. Restrict bicycle privileges if they break the helmet rule.

5. Encourage your children's friends to wear helmets - peer pressure can be used in a positive way if several families in the neighbourhood start making helmet use a regular habit at the same time.

6. Wear a helmet yourself - children learn best by observing you, and as noted above, the most important factor influencing children to wear helmets is riding with an adult, especially a parent who wears a helmet.

Some considerations in the purchase of a bicycle helmet are:

Buy a helmet that has been tested and meets specific safety standards. Those of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are what are currently recommended (look for a label or sticker that says the helmet meets the standard). Helmets manufactured before March, 1999 should meet the standards established by the Snell Memorial Foundation or the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Select a brand and size that fits well before any adjustments. Buy one that is comfortable and attractive - the children will be more likely to wear it.

Buy a helmet that fits your child now, not a helmet to "grow into".

Replace any helmet that has been involved in a crash, or a helmet that is older than five years, as these may no longer provide adequate protection!

Make sure the helmet fits properly: it should sit on top of the head in a level position, not tilted back on the head. The straps should be adjusted for a snug and comfortable fit, and should always be buckled.

Thank you for the opportunity to draw this important concern to the attention of your readers who are parents or otherwise in a position to influence and guide children.

THE MATERNAL-CHILD TEAM

King Edward VII Memorial Hospital

No price too small

December 10, 2002

Dear Sir,

The evening TV news yesterday (Monday, December 9, 2002) featured St George town manager Mr. Lance Furbert expressing concern over the lack of manpower in the Eastern area, and this morning's radio news featured comment by Police spokesperson Dwayne Caines that the Police are "some 20 personnel short of full strength".

Shadow Minister Michael Dunkley also made mention of the fact that the Police were under strength when the PLP came to power four years ago, and the new Government had allegedly been "slow to pull the trigger" to remedy the situation.

While I am fully aware that the Police are under strength (and I'm willing to bet that it's by a lot more than 20, as well!), and I don't think that the present

Government has exactly busted a gut to correct this, I feel I should remind people about the situation just before the 1993 election. At that time when the UBP decided (over the head of strong protests from within the Police, I might add) to axe some two dozen "expat" officers, both Brits and West Indians, in a desperate last-minute effort to show the public that they were concerned about cost-cutting, and I think that that was "the straw that broke the camel's back".

Yes, the Police are short-staffed: Yes, the present Government needs to recruit more officers to build up the numbers (and doesn't seem to be having terribly much success): But this is one problem that was most definitely passed on by the previous administration. I get the feeling that Mr. Furbert's claim of one patrol car to cover the three eastern parishes on Night Shift is probably pretty accurate.

You've heard the phrase "The Thin Blue Line" used to describe the Police presence? I tell you, if Joe Public knew just how thin that line was at times, he'd be having the screaming heebie jeebies! There appears to be an impression prevalent in Administrative circles that the Police are to be run on a profit-and-loss basis, like a business.

I submit that this is totally wrong. There is no price too high to pay for knowing that our Island is safe and secure, and I hereby call upon Government to follow through with their election campaign promises, and "listen to the people!"

DAVIE KERR

St. George's