My kids learned long ago that they must always wear a seatbelt in a car and they must always wear a helmet on a bike or scooter (and now, a Ripstick). Period.

Sadly, I see lots of kids who do not follow these safety lessons.  We lost a 9-year-old friend a few years ago due to an accident on his bike while not wearing a helmet. I don’t ever want that to happen again.

If you live in Manatee or Polk counties, you can get a free bike helmet for your child at participating Amscot locations on Thursday October 23rd.

Here’s the press release for more information:

The Child Bike Helmet Giveaway is an effort to make Florida’s children safer bicyclists on the roadways.  Sheriff Offices and Police Departments throughout Florida will distribute child bike helmets at their nearest participating Amscot locations in each county.  Amscot Financial encourages the participation of law enforcement agencies in each county by distributing helmets within their local communities.

The event will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2008 from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. in Manatee County at the above Amscot locations.

All bicycle riders under the age of 16 are required by law to have a helmet while riding their bikes.  All violators are subject to a $49.00 fine.

Polk County Locations:
Interested families may visit either the Amscot located at 111 Cypress Gardens Boulevard in Winter Haven, or the Amscot located at 4314 U. S. Highway 98 North in Lakeland, on Thursday, October 23, 2008, from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.