Do you think about your child’s back and head safety while preparing for the school year?

Many parents are probably thinking about their child’s school attire, lunch needs and doctor visits in preparation for the upcoming school year.

But have you considered the safety of your child’s helmet and whether it fits appropriately?

Whether your son or daughter is riding a bicycle, scooter or skateboard, knowing helmet safety tips can decrease the chance of life-threatening head injuries.

“Properly wearing a helmet may protect your child from serious brain or head injuries,” says Leticia Ryan, M.D., M.P.H., Johns Hopkins director of research in the pediatric emergency medicine division.

Ryan provides the following tips for keeping your child safe when using helmets:

Should Your Child Be Screened for Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is an often painless spine curvature that may or may not require corrective surgery. Timely detection can prevent worsening of scoliosis—the most important times to assess a child are between ages 10 and 12 for girls and 10 and 13 for boys.

“Although the predisposition to develop scoliosis is genetically determined, it usually does not show up in early childhood,” says Paul Sponseller, M.D., Johns Hopkins pediatric orthopaedic surgeon.

Scoliosis is not caused or impacted by heavy backpacks. While wearing a backpack full of books and other items may cause your child temporary back discomfort, there is no need to worry about this causing scoliosis.

Sponseller highlights more facts about scoliosis:

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