PLAINVILLE — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recently awarded Rooks County Health Center’s rehabilitation department a mini-grant for injury prevention. RCH Physical Therapist AJ Thomas wrote the grant particularly to obtain bicycle helmets for second- and third-grade students in Rooks County.

Head injuries cause 75 percent of over 700 annual deaths on bicycles, and research show that helmets can prevent 85 percent of bicycle deaths.

“It’s important we teach these kids to wear these helmets every time they ride a bicycle or scooter—arms and legs are much easier to fix than the brain,” said Thomas.

The helmets purchased through grant funds have a sportier look with a visor and are adjustable to grow with the children to around age 12. Along with the helmets, members of the RCH rehabilitation department gave a presentation on bicycle safety to second and third graders in Rooks County schools, handing out 144 helmets so far.

“I feel like this is the age we can have the most impact. Younger children wear them because they’re told to; older children think they’re too cool for helmets. If we can show them that helmets are not only cool but can prevent injury, then maybe we can get them to wear them as they get older,” said Thomas.