FRANCAIS

June 05, 2006

Healthy Living Minister Theresa Oswald kicked off Safe Kids Week in Manitoba by handing out bike helmets to students in Winnipeg today.

Over 18,000 helmets were ordered and will be distributed across Manitoba this week including 1,000 helmets purchased by the province and provided at no cost to children who would otherwise be unable to afford one.

"The Healthy Kids, Healthy Future Task Force recommended making bicycle helmets more affordable and easily available to increase the use of helmets," said Oswald. "We have exceeded our expectations of helmets ordered and I am thrilled to see that so many more children will be able to ride safely."

In May, Oswald and Education, Citizenship and Youth Minister Peter Bjornson announced the bike helmet program.

"We know that wearing a helmet can prevent serious injury and even death," said Bjornson. "Riding bicycles is such a popular activity, especially during the spring and summer months, and by working with schools around the province we have given our kids an opportunity to be safer and have fun."

Later today at the Legislative Building, Oswald will also proclaim June 5 to 11 Safe Kids Week in Manitoba. The minister noted a number of initiatives would be announced this week that will increase awareness of children’s safety in Manitoba.

In August 2004, Premier Gary Doer announced the creation of the all-party Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Task Force to ask Manitobans how to help children and young people enjoy the best possible health now and into their adult lives.

The task force was particularly interested in factors that affect children’s health in the areas of injury prevention, nutrition and physical activity. The task force heard from Manitobans that childhood injury prevention in the areas of water safety, bicycle helmets and farm safety were priorities. One of the major recommendations of the task force was to educate the public on the importance of wearing bike helmets.

In addition to providing helmets, in May the Manitoba government launched the Protect Your Noggin public awareness campaign for the second year in a row to help promote bicycle safety.

"Injury is the leading cause of childhood hospitalization," said Oswald. "Children depend on us to ensure they live and play in a safe environment where preventable injuries can be avoided."

Manitoba has been a leader in reducing the rate of childhood hospitalization due to injury. According to a 2006 report from Safe Kids Canada, Manitoba decreased the rate of childhood hospitalization by 42 per cent between 1994 and 2003.

The Healthy Kids, Healthy Future Task Force report is available at http://www.gov.mb.ca/healthykids/index.html.

- 30 -