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Safe Kids Georgia will be handing out free bike helmets to children ages 2 and older on BCSS campuses in June. Through our district partnership with the Northeast Georgia Medical System, Safe Kids will distribute bike helmets to children in Barrow County at no cost.
- Tuesday, June 16th at Winder Elementary School from 9am-1pm*
- Tuesday, June 30th at Haymon-Morris Middle School from 9am-1pm*
We know there are many great reasons to ride your bike – it offers fun, freedom, and exercise, and it’s good for the environment – and we encourage kids and families to ride as much as possible.
More children ages 5 to 14 are seen in emergency rooms for injuries related to biking than any other sport. Helmets can reduce the risk of severe brain injuries by 88 percent – yet only 45 percent of children 14 and under usually wear a bike helmet.
We’ve partnered with Safe Kids to help make our kids safer. Free drive through helmet distributions will be the same times/locations as our BCSS June Meal bag distribution so families can easily drive through for both at the same location.
Drive to the back of Winder Elementary or Haymon-Morris Middle school and look for the Safe Kids tent. Safe Kids volunteers will utilize physical distancing and wear personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves, to protect themselves and the community. Parents/caregivers should pull up to the Safe Kids tent (curbside) then they will gather information regarding the child who needs the helmet in order to size them appropriately. Helmet size is based on age and height. Volunteers will not fit the child for the helmet to reduce exposure, so they follow the guidelines for sizing closely.
After you’ve received your helmet, help us spread the word about bike safety by talking with your children and sharing the following simple tips to keep bike riding safe and fun.
- “Use your head, wear a helmet.” It is the most effective, simple and safe device available to reduce head injury and death from bicycle crashes.
- Tell your kids to ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, not against it. Stay as far to the right as possible. Use appropriate hand signals and respect traffic signals, stopping at all stop signs and stoplights.
- Teach your kids to make eye contact with drivers. Bikers should make sure drivers are paying attention and are going to stop before they cross the street.
- Be bright and use lights when riding at dusk, dawn or in the evening, and make sure your bike has reflectors as well. It’s also smart to wear clothes and accessories that have retro-reflective materials to improve biker visibility to motorists.
- Actively supervise children until you’re comfortable that they are responsible to ride on their own.
*While supplies last.