Glebe Collegiate Institute-Helmet Safety-Head Injuries-Proper Helmet-Youth Contest

Two teens “like” their new bikes after winning Facebook contest

Today, Capital Ward Councillor and Board of Health member David Chernushenko and Dr. Isra Levy, Medical Officer of Health awarded bicycles to two youth from the Glebe Collegiate Institute for their participation in the Facebook “Like My Helmet” youth contest organized by Ottawa Public Health (OPH).“I am happy to be part of the prize presentation to the youth who participated in this contest, designed to raise awareness of head injuries and the importance of wearing a proper helmet,” said Councillor Chernushenko.“I started wearing a helmet when I was a teenager. That, and learning urban cycling skills have helped me to ride safer and feel safer on the road. I am confident the winners will put these bikes to great use on the roads and bike routes that crisscross our city–wearing their helmets, of course!”OPH launched the social media contest to encourage youth to properly protect their heads while engaging in activities that require helmets such as cycling, ice-skating, skiing and inline-skating. Participating youth were invited to upload a picture wearing a properly fitted helmet to the contest’s Facebook page. Youth with a minimum of 20 “likes” were eligible to win a prize and were selected by random draw.”“Nearly half of all injuries from bicycling are to the head,” said Dr. Levy. “Each year, about 1,500 people in Ottawa go to an emergency room because of a cycling injury. This contest was designed to engage youth, decrease head injuries and encourage proper helmet use.”Thousands of youth were exposed to the contest and the accompanying important messaging about helmet safety and head injuries.“It is wonderful to see OPH using social media to reach out to students to reinforce the importance of wearing a helmet,” said France Thibault, Principal of Glebe Collegiate Institute. “Students are big users of social media – reaching them where they gather is not only innovative but will also contribute in making wearing helmets more socially acceptable among young people.”For more information about Ottawa Public Health’s head injury prevention initiatives please visit ottawa.ca/helmet or call Ottawa Public Health Information at 613-580-6744 (TTY: 613-580-9656). You can also connect with OPH on Facebook and Twitter (@ottawahealth) for the latest public health information read more..

source:ottawa.ca