Canton Repository, May 31, 2008
By ED BALINT, (330) 580-8315, ed.balint@cantonrep.com
REPOSITORY STAFF WRITER
CANTON -- Damarco Jenkins loved his shiny, new bicycle helmet, decorated with blue streaks.
Damarco, 6, and other first-graders at Allen Elementary School, got free helmets and learned about bike safety Thursday from Aultman Health Foundation, which includes Aultman Hospital.
"I learned not to do tricks on your bike," Damarco said. "And not to ride in the street, and do not go really fast, or you will fall or you will get your shoe stuck in the chain."
He was thankful for the helmet.
"I did have a helmet but somebody took it," Damarco said, peering from beneath the helmet. "(The new helmet) is much better than the other one."
PROGRAM EXPANDS
Established in 2005, the Safety First program has expanded from six schools in the Aultman Hospital area to include roughly 90 elementary schools -- both public and private -- in Stark County, accounting for about 245 bike-safety classes, said Leslee Dennis, corporate communications spokeswoman at Aultman. Roughly 5,200 students have been given helmets this year.
Aultman instructor, Bonnie Tatsch, a registered nurse, taught Allen students about bike safety. Aultman employees or volunteers teach the bike-safety sessions, which include a coloring book.
Bike safety is a plus for the children, said Allen first-grade teacher Pat Perkins.
"I think this is very beneficiary for these children," she said. "This is a great opportunity to have this in the school. I appreciate it."
SAFE KIDS
In 2006, according to a study by Safe Kids Stark County and the Stark County Health Department, 435 children were treated for injuries in Stark County hospitals related to the use of a skateboard, bicycle, scooter and in-line skates. More than 60 percent of the cases were boys, and 72 percent were on bikes.
Adults are encouraged to wear helmets when riding bicycles to set an example for children, said David Dougherty, Aultman's director of security.
For information on purchasing a bike helmet of all sizes for $7, contact Safe Kids Stark County at the Stark County Health Department at (330) 493-9904, Ext. 282.
"Our goal is to prevent injuries and encourage children to always wear a helmet, no matter how long or short the ride," Vicki Haines, vice president of community relations at Aultman, said in a news release.
SAFETY TIPS
The bike-safety lesson included these points:
-- Watch for traffic
-- Always use hand signals when riding in traffic
-- Obey all traffic laws
-- Avoid riding on the street whenever possible
-- Ride on the right-hand side of the street
-- Walk your bike when crossing the street, and look both ways before crossing
