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Doctors draw attention to helmet hanging risk

Four pathologists have written to The Medical Journal of Australia about their investigations into children who have been killed through strangulation while wearing cycle helmets off their bikes.

The doctors write: "Accidental hanging is still occurring among young children who wear bicycle helmets while engaging in activities other than bicycle riding". They go on to say that "Although such deaths are rare, it is important for parents and child carers to ensure that bicycle helmets are only worn by children for their intended purpose."

There have been 3 cases of child helmet aspphyxia in Australia since 2003, involving children under 6 years old. Worldwide, the toll of deaths has now reached at least 14, with examples in the USA, Canada and Scandinavia.

Mon 3 Jan 2011

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