NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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COLLINGWOOD and THE BLUE MOUNTAINS - The Collingwood and The Blue Mountains detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) partnered recently with the Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit and Kamikaze Bikes to support the helmet/bike safety campaigns within the elementary schools.
Youths were instructed on bicycle safety rules, hand signals, helmet safety and the importance of a properly fitting and safe bicycle. Kamikaze Bikes inspected the bicycles before the youths' were presented with an opportunity to try a skills testing course set-up outside the school. An important component of this school campaign is to also identify children in need of a new properly fitting helmet which were assessed during the school event.
Head injuries are a leading cause of serious injury and death to kids on bicycles. Even seemingly minor head injuries may cause permanent brain damage. A properly fitted and correctly worn bike helmet can cut the risk of serious head injury by up to 85 per cent (Parachute Canada, 2013)
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