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How to make sure your kid doesn't get hurt riding bikes

Most of the kids who go to the ER for bike injuries are 10 to 14-year-old boys.

According to the new study published by Nationwide Children's Hospital, 2.2 million children ages five to 17 were seen in the emergency department for bike-related accidents over a 10-year period. That's about 25 children per hour!

Kids ages 10 to 14 years old were the most likely to go to the ER. About three-quarters of the visits were for boys. The injuries were mostly in the arms and legs, but 11 percent of the injuries were of the head. Wearing a bike helmet reduced the risk of a traumatic brain injury by half.

Most of the time these injuries were also happening either on the street or at home. Fortunately, over the 10-year period, ED visits are going down, but 600 visits per day is still a lot of children getting hurt on their bikes.

How can parents make sure they keep their kids’ heads safe?

Don't buy a bike OR a helmet for a child to grow into. Find the size that is right.

Make sure your child's helmet has a sticker from the Consumer Product Safety Commission saying it is certified.

Bike helmet fit is probably the most important thing. The helmet should form a "v" around the ears and the chin strap should be tight, but still allows the child to open his/her mouth. Make sure the child can see as well, so there should be about two finger widths space between the helmet and the eyebrows.

Parents should also set a good example by riding their bikes with helmets on as well.

Don't reuse a helmet that has been in a serious crash.

A football helmet is great for the field, not good for a serious bike crash.

Other tips for parents to keep their kids safe on their bikes:

Teach your children about hand signals and the rules of the road if they are going to ride on the street.

Ride on the far right of the road, in a straight line.

Tie those shoelaces and make sure there are no loose fitting pants that can get stuck in the gears.

If possible, stick to bike paths.

Avoid riding your bike at night, but if your children absolutely has to ride at night, put reflectors and lights on the bike, and have the child wear reflective clothing.

More tips from SafeKids.org: https://bit.ly/2u7PJXK

Follow 9NEWS Medical Expert Dr. Comilla Sasson on Facebook and Twitter

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