"Even one brain injury is a brain injury too many." Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association (SBIA) states.
June is national Brain Injury Awareness Month. People have already taken to travelling via push bikes and motorbikes beginning in April or May, but with June holding hotter weather there are more bikes, scooters, and rollerblades pulled out of storage. Being kept safe over the winter they are now being hauled out, washed up, and shown off.
"Brain injuries are preventable yet sadly, 2200 people in Saskatchewan acquire a brain injury each year." SBIA said.
This year the SBIA is pushing the use of helmets with the campaign, "Save Your Melon!" This initiative is directed at encouraging people who partake in summer activities to wear helmets as they could possibly save you from lifelong damage to ultimately saving your life.
"We need to get the message out to kids and adults that we should be wearing our helmets when we're riding our bikes or when we're skateboarding; any activity that involves a risk to the head," Jim Hopson, the honorary spokesperson for SBIA said. "You only have one brain. Why not protect it."
Hopson is also the President and CEO of the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club. He knows the importance of helmets on the football field and how the proper helmet for specific activities is needed.
It is suggested that a helmet is worn for any wheeled activities because you're moving at higher speeds than simply running, which moving faster usually means a more serious injury if one crashes. Many sports require helmets, including football and baseball, and it is important to find one that is approved for your sport or activity. This is easily discovered by visiting the following website, http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/349.pdf.
It is strongly recommended to avoid buying used helmets. Though there is no visible damage to the helmet there is always a chance that it has sustained an impact that has weakened it significantly.
Helmets should fit snuggly with the straps tightened so one finger will fit between the straps and chin. The SBIA website suggests for the "Eyes, Ears, Mouth Test" to be performed.
Eyes: The rim of the helmet should be one to two fingers above ones eyebrows. This means that with the helmet on and looking up it should just be visible.
Ears: There should be a distinct "V" shape under the ears when the helmet is buckled.
Mouth: With the helmet done up one should be able to open their mouth as wide as they can and the helmet should fit snuggly against the chin. If it needs to be tightened to secure the helmet, then do so and check again. The buckle should also lay flat against the skin to ensure a good fit.
To promote helmet use SBIA has partnered with the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) to appeal to Rider Fans. Watermelon helmets have been designed and will be given away through various draws around the province this summer. "Not only are these helmets less sticky than the watermelon shells donned by Rider Fans, they offer protection along with the 'cool' factor." SBIA explained.
With a $100 donation to the SBIA one of these limited edition, autographed helmets is available as a gift of thanks. For more details on these watermelon helmets contact the SBIA at 1-888-373-1555.
"Be a winner and wear a helmet."
