Bike Helmets

I rarely see a child in my neighborhood riding a bike without a helmet. When I was a child, no one wore helmets. I don't even know if they were available. And anyone who would have worn a helmet would have been considered a dork. I am so happy that thought has changed and kids at a young age are being taught helmets are a must, not an option.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission held an event this week in Chicago.

Here's the story from the Associated Press:

Parents should take their children along when shopping for a bike helmet to get the best fit. That's the message from Nancy Nord of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Nord says nearly 240,000 bicycle injuries sent children to emergency rooms in 2006.

Those bike injuries topped the list of sports-related injuries for children under age 15. Nord spoke at U.S. Cellular Field where White Sox catchers A.J. Pierzynski and Toby Hall handed out free bike helmets to children from Chicago's McClellan Elementary School. Nord says wearing a bike helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent.

Do your kids wear helmets? If you have older children, did they wear helmets? When do you think this trend started?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen