Injuries during the summer are an increased risk factor
In the warm season, cycling becomes one of the most popular activities for children. However, with pleasure comes the risk of injury. Pediatric surgeon Benediktas Jonuška, known on social networks as @vaikuchirurgas, notices that injuries increase at least three times during the summer. “Children often spend their free time outdoors, riding bicycles, scooters, and jumping on trampolines, which is why injuries increase dramatically,” says the doctor.
Social networks are an important platform for education
Benediktas Jonuška actively shares advice and information on social networks, promoting awareness and urging parents and children to protect themselves. The doctor’s accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Threads can be found not only with warnings, but also with shocking stories. According to B. Jonuška, these stories help people understand the risk of injuries and the importance of following safety rules.
“I share posts with a harsher tone because I think people need to be aware of serious injuries that can be prevented. Only by talking about it out loud can we prevent disasters,” says the doctor.
The main mistakes parents make
The doctor singles out some of the most common mistakes parents make before letting their children ride bikes or scooters:
Vehicle size. Children often ride bikes that are too big for them to control. The bike must be adapted to the child’s age and physical build.
Not wearing a helmet. Although KET requires children under 18 to wear helmets, there are still parents who think they are unnecessary. Studies show that a helmet can prevent 66% to 88% of serious head injuries. Cyclists who wear helmets are three times less likely to die from serious head injuries in traffic accidents than those who do not.
Underestimation of protective measures. It is often assumed that a scooter or tricycle is safe without guards. This is a wrong approach, especially when it comes to young children, whose heads are proportionally larger and more vulnerable.
The importance of wearing a helmet
“A helmet is not a matter of fashion, it saves lives,” emphasizes B. Jonuška. An improperly fastened helmet or a helmet hanging from the bike handle does not protect against injuries. The doctor remembers cases when parents who bring children with injuries say: “This time the helmet was left at home…”. Such situations cannot exist. Adults must also lead by example and wear helmets.
In the doctor’s practice, there have been many cases where a child was wearing a helmet and this saved him from serious injuries. “Recently, a patient came to the department who injured her back and legs while falling, but she was wearing a helmet. The head remained intact”, shares B. Jonuška.
It is important to set a good example
We can often see a family driving: children with helmets, but parents without helmets. “In such cases, the question is ‘why?’ This is how parents send a message to their child that “you’re wearing a helmet now because I’m around and I’m telling you to, and then you’ll take it off because you won’t need it anymore.” And adults must set an example – if you get on a bike, only with a helmet! You have to protect yourself in the same way”, said the doctor.
First aid for injuries
The doctor recommends several basic steps to take after an injury: “It is important to use cold, immobilize the injured limb, stop the bleeding and disinfect the wound. It is also necessary to monitor the condition of the injured and, if there are more serious symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.”
Signs of serious injury
If you experience dizziness, nausea, lethargy, or loss of consciousness after a head injury, you should go to the emergency department. B. Jonuška emphasizes that head injuries are the most dangerous and require immediate medical assistance.
A helmet is a mandatory accessory
Children should not only choose a suitable helmet, but also one they like so that they want to wear it. “I tell the kids that the helmet is cool. My children themselves were happy to wear helmets with ears and tails,” smiles the doctor.
The most memorable stories
B. Jonuška remembers several memorable stories from his practice. One of them is a seventeen-year-old football player who died while riding a bicycle without a helmet in the dark. “It was a painful accident, in which many factors came together – the darkness, the absence of reflectors and a helmet,” recalls the doctor.
Another story is a young child who was brought to the department with a cracked helmet after a car accident. “The helmet split in half, but the child’s head remained intact. Without a helmet, this accident would have ended much more sadly,” says B. Jonuška.
Awareness raising and the importance of public education
The doctor is happy that public awareness is increasing, more and more children and adults are wearing helmets and other protective equipment. “Public education reduces injuries and accidents. It is very important to learn not only from your own mistakes, but also from the mistakes of others,” emphasizes the doctor.
In conclusion, doctor Benediktas Jonuška urges all cyclists and their parents to be responsible: “The helmet must not only fit, but also be liked. Choose safe entertainment and be responsible on the road.”
This Sunday (August 18), the “IKI Velomaratonas” invites you to test your strength in one of five races: in the CRAMO Sport and Semi-Sport races, participants will be able to choose a distance of 100 km or 50 km. DECATHLON Cycling enthusiasts can choose between 10, 20 or 30 km distances. EARLY RIDER In the children’s race, young cyclists and participants of TERRASPORT rollerskates, scooters and skateboards will cover a distance of 2.4 km. The event, which is taking place for the 15th time, is the biggest cycling event in all Baltic countries. Participants can register at: www.ikivelomaratonas.lt.
The project is co-financed by means of the Vilnius City Municipality budget.
2024-08-15 14:00:32