Doctors in the London Health Sciences Centre's emergency departments are reminding you to protect your skull if you are biking, blading or skateboarding this spring.
Since April 1, hospital staff have handed out 16 helmets through the Helmet Giveaway Program.
The initiative outfits kids and teens who come to the hospital with a "wheeled- activity injury " with a new fitted helmet .
On average ever year, 344 kids sustain "wheel -related injuries ."
Officials say you should always be wearing protective gear.
“Helmets save lives and it is important for parents to remember that a helmet should be replaced after every collision, even if the child hasn’t hit their head” says injury prevention specialist at the LHSC Jane Harrington. “Apart from it being against the law for children to cycle without a helmet, their chance of sustaining a severe head injury without one is is greatly increased.”
Over the last five years a total of 1,721 people with "wheel-related injuries" have come through the emergency department in London.