Most injuries can be prevented by sitting quietly at home – but people don't want to live their lives that way. But a few simple steps can drastically reduce the risk:

• Don't drink and drive.
• Wear a helmet when biking, inline skating or snowboarding.
• Wear a seatbelt in the car and make sure children are in safety seats.
• Slip-proof your home, especially the bathroom.
• Play sports responsibly, using the proper equipment.

Prevention Programs:

Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association is pleased to partner with the Chilliwack Safety Village for brain injury prevention and education.  The Chilliwack Safety Village, located in Fairfield Island Park in Chilliwack, BC, is a non-profit society dedicated to providing safety education for children in Kindergarten through Grade 3.  An average of 4000 children attend the village each year to learn about fire safety, stranger danger and bicycle (helmet) safety.  For more information about the Chilliwack Safety Village, contact safetyvillage@chilliwack.com  or Chilliwack Safety Village Society, City of Chilliwack, 8550 Young Rd., Chilliwack, BC, V2P 8A4

For more information about acquired brain injury prevention or to have a presentation please contact the Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association.

Tips for Choosing and Fitting a New Helmet

• Please purchase a NEW helmet. Never buy a used helmet at a swap meet or garage sale - it might be damaged!
• *Special Note: Helmets should be routinely replaced about every four years even if they have no apparent damage. This is because bike helmets are single impact helmets. They need to be in good condition to protect your head!

Helmet Fit:

• Select a helmet that fits—DO NOT buy a helmet that can be “grown into.” Use the different sizes of pads that should come with the helmet to make it snug around the head. If the helmet is too big with the thickest size pads then the helmet is too big and a smaller one is safer. Try different brands and sizes to find the best one for you.

“3-Point” Helmet adjustment:

1. No more than two fingers from eyebrows to bottom of helmet.
2. Ear buckles right under each ear lobe. Straps should form a "V" around each ear.
3. No more than two fingers under your chin strap. Helmet should be comfortable but snug.

• Helmet should not “rock” side to side or from front to back.

Fitting Your Child's Bike Helment (Acrobat PDF)

 

Get Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your system

Related Links Child Safety Link

http://www.cfc-efc.ca/index.shtml
http://www.sickkids.ca/safekidscanada/
http://www.cfc-efc.ca/index.sht

http://www.dontshake.c