By Sarah Klein
Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau explains to children at Bruce School how a helmet can prevent injury, Wednesday, May 30, 2012. (CHRISD.CA)
The Manitoba government has renewed a program that provides helmets to children and families throughout the province at a reduced cost through 2013.
The helmets, priced at $10 for bicycle or toddler helmets, and $13 for multi-sport helmets, can be used for bicycling, in-line skating and skateboarding.
“The decision to put on a bike helmet could mean the difference between life and death,” said Jim Rondeau, Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs Minister. “We are continuing our low-cost bike helmet program to help increase the number of Manitoba children wearing this essential piece of safety equipment, which is fundamental to decreasing childhood injuries and fatalities.”
Since the program began in 2006, more than 80,000 helmets have been distributed, including 7,000 provided free of charge to qualifying low-income families.
Order forms for low-cost helmets are available at all schools and child-care centres in the province.
