The physicians of Lamar County want to help ensure the safety of local children by giving away free safety helmets Saturday, October 18, 2014 from 4:30-6:30 pm at the Paris Family Fun Center, 2625 Spur 139, Paris.
The Lamar Delta County Medical Society safety helmet giveaway is part of a statewide effort — Hard Hats for Little Heads — launched by the Texas Medical Association in 1994. The program promotes fun exercise and teaches parents and children about the importance of wearing a helmet.
The event is sponsored by the Lamar Delta County Medical Society, in conjunction with the Texas Medical Association. October represents the 20 year anniversary of the Hard Hats for Little Heads program, and 136 events are planned around the state.
Texas physicians encourage wearing a helmet for all sports on wheels — biking, skateboarding, inline skating, and riding a scooter. On average, 250 children in the United States under the age of 14 die each year because of a bicycle crash. Another 300,000 children are treated in emergency rooms for severe head injuries. Many of these accidents could have been prevented if the children had worn bicycle helmets. Properly worn bike helmets can prevent up to 85% of brain injuries.
“Wearing a helmet is such a simple way to help ensure a child’s health and safety,” Dr. Amanda Green said. “It is important while biking, as well as participating in any activity on wheels.”
The Paris Family Fun Center was chosen as a donation site to help promote wearing helmets while roller skating.
One hundred and eighty helmets are available for free to the children of the community. Any child can receive a free helmet. Local physicians will be on hand to properly fit the helmets.
Since TMA’s Hard Hats for Little Heads program began, physicians have given away more than 180,000 free helmets to Texas children. Funding for TMA’s Hard Hats for Little Heads is provided by TMA Foundation thanks to top donors — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Prudential, two anonymous foundations — and gifts from physicians and their families, and friends of medicine.