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Bicycles are associated with more childhood injuries than any other consumer product except the automobile.

More than 70 percent of children ages 5 to 14 ride bicycles, and this group is five times more likely to be injured in a bicycle-related crash than older riders.

Head injury is the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes and is the most important factor in bicycle-related death and permanent disability. Head injuries account for more than 60 percent of bicycle-related deaths, more than two-thirds of bicycle-related hospital admissions and about one-third of hospital emergency room visits for bicycling injuries.

The single-most effective safety device available to reduce head injury and death from bicycle crashes is a helmet. Bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent, and it is estimated that they could prevent 75 percent of bicycle-related fatalities among children.

Unfortunately, fewer than half of kids ages 5 to 14 wear helmets when participating in wheeled activities, and more than a third of children who use helmets wear them improperly.

Bicycle helmet program

To address the safety risks, the Fairfield Fire Department provides free bicycle helmets to Fairfield residents.

If a resident is spotted riding a bicycle in Fairfield and is not wearing a helmet, fire personnel will stop, if time allows, and give the bicyclist a coupon for a free helmet. The coupon can be redeemed at the Fairfield Fire Headquarters, located on Nilles Road, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

If fire personnel see someone riding a bicycle and wearing a helmet, fire department staff, if time allows, will issue a fast food coupon for a free meal or sandwich at a local fast food chain. This is the Fairfield Fire Department's way of saying "thank you" to the kids and parents for wearing a helmet.

A partnership with Mercy Hospital also provides free helmets to children who arrive at the hospital's emergency room with a bicycle related injury.

The bicycle helmets acquired by the Fairfield Fire Department come in four sizes — child, youth, teen and adult.

The Fire Department's program would not be as successful as it is without the support and contributions of Cincinnati Children's Hospital, the Fairfield Kiwanis and Mercy Hospital Fairfield.

For additional information about the Fire Department's Bicycle Helmet program, please contact the department at 513-867-5379 or fire@fairfield-city.org.

Bike safety tips

The National Safe Kids campaign offers the following safety tips:

• Wear a bicycle or motorcycle helmet on every ride. Check to see if your helmet should have a safety certification.
• Ride so drivers and cyclists can see you.
• Look both ways for oncoming vehicles before turning or crossing a street. Go only when it is clear.
• Watch out for potholes, cracks, rocks, wet leaves, storm grates, railroad tracks or anything that could make you lose control of your bike.
• Make sure your bike fits your height, weight and age.
• Inflate tires properly.
• Check brakes before riding.
• Bikers should ride one behind another and with the flow of traffic.