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First Posted: 6/26/2013
WILKES-BARRE — Fireworks, hot dogs and swimming pools are a few things that come to mind when one thinks of summer, but Kingston law firm Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn wants people to think of something else this Fourth of July: bike safety.
HKQ Kids, Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn Fund for Children’s Advocacy, will give away free bicycle helmets to children ages 12 and under during the annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration at Kirby Park to promote child safety.
“We thought Kirby Park would be a good venue because so many families are there on the Fourth of July,” Sue Greenfield, project coordinator, said.
Greenfield said many people are not aware that bicycle helmets are delicate. Once a helmet falls on the ground, it can no longer absorb shock and needs to be thrown away.
However, buying a new helmet is costly. One helmet costs at least $15 and for bigger families, it can become cost prohibitive.
HKQ Kids continues to have the free helmet giveaway each year to alleviate the cost for families and to keep children safe.
“The economy is not the greatest, and the cost of helmets is outrageous,” Greenfield said.
Since HKQ Kids started the free helmet giveaway in 2008, more than 5,100 children have been equipped with helmets approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
There will be helmets of many sizes to accommodate all ages, from toddler size to youth large.
The HKQ Kids stand, located on the main walking path, will look patriotic this year as red, blue and silver are the available helmet colors.
Greenfield said there are families who return to the stand each year, and the lawyers and staff of Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn who volunteer for the event have seen children grow up.
“We are very happy to see them come back,” Greenfield said.
The event, run by staff and lawyers of the law firm, will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. If helmets run out, families can order them and have them available within a week.