Mark and Melissa Halabis have a new rule at their home that helps protect their children from life-threatening injury: No bike riding without a helmet.

            That rule went into effect after the Cass City family visited the Huron Medical Center station for free bike helmets and fittings during Kids Day at the Port Austin Farmers Market on June 19.

            "When we left the campground in Caseville Saturday morning, we knew it was Kids Day at the market, but we had no idea the hospital was sponsoring the helmet program." Melissa Halabis said. "But it was excellent and we're so thankful for it. Now our kids don't get on their bikes without a helmet - it's a rule at our home."

            The Halabis children, Abbey, 7, and Brady, 3, were among 250 youngsters who were fitted for and received free bicycle helmets compliments of Huron Medical Center and the Field Neurosciences Institute, co-sponsors of the safety program.

            Summer activities such as bike and scooter riding, roller blading, and skate-boarding mean more young people will be out free-wheeling during nice weather. That almost always means increased potential for accidents: falls, crashes, and collisions.

            Head injuries from such accidents are a major cause of Emergency Center visits for children under the age of 15, said Marge Wessels, community relations director at HMC.