Young Boy Rewarded for Helmet Safety
Connor Moogk, a shy, seven-year-old boy was happy to receive a new bike and helmet after his were destroyed in a cycling accident.
The Peel Paramedic Association and Canadian Tire donated the bike and helmet while Peel Regional Paramedic Services recognized Connor for properly wearing his helmet at the time of the accident.
Peel Regional Paramedics Amanda Watson and Mike Bedford knew the helmet made a big difference to the extent of Connor’s injuries when they arrived on scene where Connor had been hit by a pick-up truck backing out of a driveway.
Brad Bowie, Public Education and Awareness Specialist adjusts Connor’s new helmet as Peel Paramedic Amanda Watson, Peel Paramedic Association’s Holly Lundrigan and Canadian Tire’s Sporting Goods Manager Michael Lawrence and General Manager Sal Pusateri look on.A helmet has been proven to prevent serious head injury by up to 85 percent; serious head injury is the cause of death in 80 percent of cycling accidents.
Making sure that the helmet is worn and fits properly is what makes it effective. The helmet should:
- fit level on the head, two finger widths above the eyebrows,
- fit snug under the chin, allowing for only one finger to fit between the chin and the chin strap. Side straps should come into a 'v' shape under the ear and lie flat, and
- fit snug to the head (use sizing pads for adjustment).
Peel Regional Paramedic Services and Peel Public Health work with the Peel Children’s Safety Village and other local partners such as the Peel Paramedic Association and Peel Regional Police to promote bicycle safety. The Region of Peel is also working with Canadian Tire to include a checklist about properly wearing a helmet as part of the packaging for new helmets.
To learn more about helmet safety visit the helmet safety webpage.
In an emergency, always call 9-1-1
