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Children's Hospital Trying To Prevent Kids' Head Injuries With Free Bike Helmets

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Nearly 300 helmets were passed out and fitted for children in Boyce Park.

"I think it's a wonderful idea, I have a granddaughter that is still in training wheels and didn't have a helmet," said Laura Teregawa of New Stanton.

"I think it's wonderful and I'm excited to be able to have the kids get fitted for helmets, so that I know that I'm either getting or buying them the correct size helmet," said Lisa Church of Apollo.

The helmets were courtesy of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and Kohl's Department Store.
The idea is to prevent life-threatening and life-changing brain injuries.

Employees with Children's say most kids admitted to the hospital for bike accidents have head injuries.

The good news is the program has made an impact over the past eight years.

"What we have seen is a decrease in bike injuries from 11 percent to 7 percent, so we are pretty excited about getting out there and getting the message out to kids," said Chris Vitale of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. "We don't want kids to end up with a brain injury."
The event isn't a one-time thing.

In fact, different types of helmets are handed out all year.

"Kohl's funds the program and we do year-round helmet events," said Vitale. "In the winter time, we do ski helmets and all summer long we do bike helmets and multi-sport helmets for kids."

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