Every year, Christmas Injury Lawyers gives out hundreds of bicycle helmets to kids across Charleston and the nearby area through the Low Country Helmets For Kids Program. One of our founding partners, Gary Christmas, recently appeared on Lowcountry Live to discuss the program. You can watch the full interview below:
Founding the Low Country Helmets For Kids Program
The attorneys at Christmas Injury Lawyers saw two needs in the Charleston area:
- For more children to have access to bicycle helmets
- To give law enforcement the chance to interact positively with the community
So, the law firm teamed up with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, City of Charleston Police Department, North Charleston Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department and Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office to get more helmets on the heads of kids. There are now events throughout the year where local residents can donate helmets, and there are also many giveaway events for kids throughout the area.
Saving Lives in the Community
Though the numbers vary from year to year, the Low Country Helmets For Kids Program typically hands out about 1,000 helmets annually. This means more kids have adequate protection for their most important organ — their brain. Too often, children go without helmets, especially when they are riding scooters, “hoverboards” or skateboards. This leads to almost 2 million traumatic brain injuries a year, which can have drastic effects on kids’ lives as they grow up.
Christmas Injury Lawyers is also using their helmet program to educate both kids and adults alike in the community. Their main message, besides the fact that every kid should wear a helmet when riding a bike, is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a proper helmet. It simply needs to meet the standards set out by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. There will be a sticker or stamp on the packaging and helmet itself saying it is certified by the CPSC. As long as it has that, and is fitted properly, a helmet of any price will give adequate protection.
How You Can Get Involved
If your child is in need of a helmet, don’t wait to get them one. No matter your income level, you can get a free helmet for your kid at one of our giveaway events. There are usually eight to 10 events a year; you can find upcoming events on the Low Country Helmets For Kids Program Facebook page or website. Each event is geared toward kids having fun, from bicycle rodeos to obstacle courses. We are also always at the Charleston First Day Festival.
If you want to donate, that is also very easy to do. You can always come by the offices of Christmas Injury Lawyers and drop off bicycle helmets. If you’d rather, you can also make a monetary donation. Every penny of the donation goes toward buying more helmets. For now, donations can be made at the office. We will soon have an electronic donation option as well.
In addition to helmets, children should also wear knee pads, elbow pads and brightly colored clothing, and should also use a bell on their bikes. Not doing so could lead to serious injury. If your child has been injured while riding a bike in Charleston, and someone else caused the injury, your family may be entitled to compensation. Visit our personal injury website or contact us today to learn more and to schedule a free consultation.
