The holiday season is approaching and many Santa lists have bicycles as their number one item. Please make sure to tell Santa to include a bike helmet.

Each year, 400,000 children are treated in emergency departments for bicycle-related injuries. Annually, 250 children 14 years of age and younger die because of bicycle injuries. Head injuries account for 67 percent of bicycle-related deaths. Between $109 and $142 million in health care costs could be saved annually if 85 percent of child cyclists wore helmets. These statistics are staggering. Many studies throughout the country have proven that the use of helmets dramatically decreases the percentage of head injured bicycle accidents. In Seattle, Wash., where legislation was passed mandating the use of helmets for cyclists, there has been a decrease of 51 percent in head injuries.

The Lowcountry Emergency Nurses Association in conjunction with Safe Kids are able to offer helmets at a cost of $10 each, a bargain for that comparative shopper!

The helmets can be obtained by calling Mary Anderson at 792-9356 or Amy Ethridge at 792- 5327.

Make this Christmas a safe one. Wearing helmets help healthy minds grow and produce good bicycle habits!