How to Keep Kids Safer on Bikes

Children all over San Diego are headed back to school this month, and many kids will make their way to and from school on their bicycles. Bicycling is a great way to get needed exercise while also enjoying the crisp fall weather.

Whether your child is just learning to ride or has been bicycling for many years, you can help kids stay safer on their bicycles by following these safety tips, courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

• Always wear a helmet. Helmets play a key role in preventing or reducing the severity of accident injuries. Choose a bike helmet for each child that fits properly and has not been damaged by a previous crash or other force.
• Adjust the bicycle to fit the child. When the child stands over the bike, there should be one to two inches between the child’s body and the top bar of the frame for a standard bicycle and three to four inches for a mountain bike. The seat should be level front to back, and the seat height should be adjusted so there is a slight bend at the knee when the child pushes the pedal to its lowest point.
• Dress to be seen. A brightly-colored vest or jacket with reflective strips will help motorists see kids on bicycles more easily, reducing the chances of a crash. Remind children that just because they can see a car does not mean the driver of the car can see them.

If you or someone you love is hurt in a bike crash, don’t wait: call the focused San Diego bicycle accident attorneys for a free and confidential consultation.…

Kolcraft Recalls Strollers Due to Fingertip Amputation Risks

Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc. and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have issued a recall of several models of the Kolcraft Contours Options stroller.

When the hinge mechanism on the stroller is being locked or unlocked, it creates a gap in which a child’s or parent’s finger can become wedged, increasing the risk for amputation or other serious injuries when the mechanism is closed. The CPSC has received five reports of product defect injury from the strollers, including two adults who had fingers smashed in the hinge and three children who required amputations after their fingers were caught in the hinge.

The recall affects three- and four-wheeled strollers with model numbers ZL002, ZL005, ZL008, ZL015, and ZL018. The model number and date the stroller was manufactured are on a sticker placed above the left wheel on the ZL002 and on a tag sewn into the back of the seat on the other models.

The strollers were sold between January 2006 and November 2009 at various retailers across the U.S., including Toys “R” Us, Target, and online at Amazon.com. Parents and caregivers should stop using the strollers and call Kolcraft at (800) 453-7673 for a free repair kit.

Defective products can cause serious injuries, especially when the defect is not obvious or expected. If you or someone you love has been injured by a defective stroller or other items, contact the knowledgeable San Diego defective child product injury attorneys today. We’ll help you find out what happened and protect your legal rights.…