Alberta Health Services is encouraging safe and active transportation as families walk, bike and wheel in their communities.
“While exercise outdoors is always beneficial to the body, it comes with risks if proper safety and equipment measures aren’t considered. These risks can result in severe injury,” AHS said in a statement Monday, which was the beginning of Safe Kids Week.
“In 2020, more than 2,400 Albertans ages one to nine years sustained collision-related cycling injuries resulting in emergency department and urgent care visits.
“This was a 45 per cent increase from the previous year, with head injuries being the most common reason for hospital visits. Injuries related to walking and skateboarding are also common reasons for hospital visits.”
There are ways parents can help their child reduce the risk of injury during pedestrian, cycling, scootering and skateboarding activities:
- For pedestrians, young children should always be accompanied by an adult when crossing the street.
- For cycling, make sure your child wears protective gear.
- For skateboarding and scootering safety, choose the right helmet for the right activity.
Safe Kids Week is an annual campaign developed by Parachute to raise public awareness of child safety issues in Canada, encouraging community involvement as part of the solution. The topic of 2022’s Safe Kids Week digital campaign is safe and active transportation for children under the theme #WalkBikeAndWheel.
For safety information, visit www.albertahealthservices.ca.
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