| (NC)-Are your kids safe when riding on wheels | | | | 8. - Bicycles are classed as vehicles, but |
| - bicycles, scooters, skateboards or in-line | | | | research shows that children under 10 should |
| skates? Safe Kids Canada, a national child | | | | not ride their bicycles on the road. They do |
| safety program, has launched the "Got Wheels | | | | not have the physical skills or the judgment |
| - Get a Helmet!" campaign this spring. Safe | | | | to stay safe in traffic. Children over 10 |
| Kids Canada urges Canadians to follow these | | | | need good training and lots of practice |
| three tips to keep their children safe: | | | | before they can ride on the road. Kids need |
| | | | to practice these skills with adult |
| 1. Make sure your child wears a helmet that | | | | supervision in safe places. |
| fits correctly, as well as other protective | | | | |
| gear. | | | | 9. Supervise children until at least eight |
| | | | years of age. Know your child's abilities. |
| 2. - Bike: bike helmet. | | | | |
| | | | 10. - Most injuries on wheels happen because |
| 3. - Scooter: a bike helmet, elbow pads and | | | | children lose control and fall. Children need |
| knee pads. | | | | to practice controlling their equipment, and |
| | | | they need your guidance. |
| 4. - In-line skates: a bike helmet, wrist | | | | |
| pads, elbow pads and knee pads. | | | | 11. - Your child needs to learn basic |
| | | | skills, such as controlling speed and turns, |
| 5. - Skateboard: a skateboard helmet, wrist | | | | braking, balancing and avoiding obstacles. |
| pads, elbow pads and knee pads. | | | | |
| | | | 12. - Reinforce safety rules while you |
| 6. Make sure your child rides or skates in a | | | | supervise. |
| safe environment - away from cars and other | | | | |
| vehicles. | | | | 13. - Sometime between the ages of 8 and 10, |
| | | | your child will develop the coordination and |
| 7. - Scooters, in-line skates, and | | | | judgment required to ride or skate safely |
| skateboards do not belong on the road. | | | | without your supervision - but not near |
| | | | traffic. |