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Wear Your Helmet!

Children's health issues image.

It makes sense that children should wear helmets when they are engaged in activities that might produce head injuries. These include bicycles, rollerblading, skateboarding or do anything at all on wheels. Yet many children, and their parents, simply ignore this common sense, or the helmets are worn haphazardly and offer little, if any, protection in the event of an accident. Each year there are hundreds of thousands of head injuries from bicycle accidents. Many result in in visits to the hospital.

When it comes to head injuries, bicycles are common culprits. Cars are the only other consumer product responsible for more accidents than bicycles in childhood. We buckle up our children in cars and place them in safety seats, yet we allow them out on dangerous roadways without any head protection. Don’t you want to be sure your child is protected to the best of his or her ability as he or she peddles off to a friend’s house? Making sure the helmet is fitted correctly is as important as making sure that it’s being worn.

According to the Canadian Institute of Child Health, here are some guidelines to ensure a proper fitting helmet:

  • The helmet should fit snug and be comfortable. It must be snug enough so that it cannot tip forward or backward.

  • The helmet should sit level on the child’s head, about two fingers above the eyebrows in front.

  • Adjust the foam pads and chin strap to ensure a proper fit. The front and rear straps should meet just below each ear.

  • Adjust the chinstrap so it is snug but doesn’t pinch. It may be wise to try on several helmets before you choose one that has the best fit for your child.

It is critical that you buy a new helmet if your child has been involved in any type of crash. Even if the helmet looks okay externally, the inner liner may have been damaged, making it less effective should your child be involved in another accident.

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Dr. Nicholson Asks some important questions of interest to Fulton residents - Chiropractor Fulton Dr. Nicholson Asks...

Can someone who has had back surgery receive chiropractic care?
Yes. Rest assured that we will avoid the surgically modified areas of your spine. However, what we find is that surgical interventions will often produce spinal instability above or below the involved level. This is will be the focus of your chiropractic care.
What's the difference between a "good" drug and a "bad" drug?
As a chiropractor, I see the use of many drugs (legal or illegal) as merely symptom treating. Worse, virtually every drug produces unwanted effects. The effects of chiropractic are largely positive effects. If you're a Fulton parent, consider carefully before giving your child a cough medication, cold remedy or pain reliever so this sort of question doesn't arise in the first place.