Encore partners with Riley Hospital for children to promote bicycle safety

October 2006

La Porte Regional Health System, Riley Hospital for Children and Encore Health Network offered a “Get on Board with Safety Day” on Saturday, September 23, 2006.



Held at The Crossing of La Porte Hospital, parents and their children lined up to receive bicycle helmets, car safety seats, Secure Solutions home safety starter kits and other giveaways.

Encore Health staff members distributed free bicycle helmets to the children of La Porte. A bike helmet when worn properly has been shown to reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent and the risk of brain injury by as much as 88 percent. Encore’s Helmet Up campaign was developed to educate children as well as adults on the dangers of not wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle. “It is our way of giving back to the communities we serve, said Stephanie Black, Encore’s Communications Coordinator. Riley Hospital also trained local high school students. The students planed and presented a bike safety course to young riders.



Certified child passenger safety technicians with the La Porte SAFE KIDS Coalition offered a free child safety seat check up, and, on a discretionary basis, were able to provide (while supplies lasted) a car safety seat to families when needed. Fifty car safety seats were provided to Riley Hospital by Dorel Juvenile Group to promote the “Get On Board with Child Safety” message. Secure Solutions home safety starter kits with door knob covers, outlet plugs, and cabinet locks were also be available.



“The goal of the Get On Board with Child Safety Day was to promote awareness and action to prevent injuries, the leading cause of death for children ages 1-14 in Indiana and nationwide,” says Karen Stroup, Director of Riley Hospital’s Community Education and Child Advocacy Department.