DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

In a recently published article by NewsWireRelease, Debra Holzman, recognized safety and health expert, and author of The Safe Baby: A Do--It Yourself Guide to Home Safety, offers some practical advice and a checklist of suggestions to help keep young children safe:

• Never carry a baby younger than one year on your bicycle.
• Select the right helmet. Look for the CPSC standard sticker inside the helmet.
• Choose seating approved by ASTM (American Standard for for Testing and Materials).
• Carry children in child trailers pulled by the bike.  Attach a 6 foot red or orange flag to the trailer for better visibility.
• Have the bike store where your purchase a carrier install it for you.
• Make certain that the following features are included for your rear-mounted child seat: high back, sturdy shoulder harness, snug fitting lap belt, spoke guards
• Practice riding your bike with a weight comparable to the child's weight before allowing the child to ride with you. Bikes handle and balance differently with extra weight.
• Both you and your child should wear brightly-colored clothing and close-toe shoes.
• Ride only in daylight, in safe areas, avoiding busy roads and bad weather.  Obey all traffic laws.
• Give up cycling with a child who is too fidgety to ride safely.