Helping a child during holiday

Now that children are on holiday, my 13-year-old daughter is home and quite idle. However, I have noticed that she enjoys riding her bike more than ever. My concern though is about her safety. She often rides within the compound but I want her to be able to ride outside on the road. How can I ensure she is safe out there? Solange, Kicukiro.Dear Solange,It is good to know that your daughter is not really that idle. Bike riding is a great way for anyone to exercise and have fun at the same time. It is also commendable that you are concerned about her safety. There are some basic steps you can take to ensure that your girl is safe while riding around. One of those basics is a helmet to protect her head in case of a fall. Always insist that she wears a helmet all the time while riding.When buying a helmet, make an effort to get one with bright colours and fits well. If she is riding outside the house then bright coloured clothes that ensure she is visible on the road are the best choice. She can also wear a reflector jacket while riding. It is also important for her to have a good understanding of most road signs like stop signs and traffic lights. She must know which side of the road to ride on and stick with it and also take greater caution at intersections. Another important safety measure is that she should never ride with headphones or earphones. She should be able to hear cars hooting or people calling her out in case of any danger. Always check that her bike is in good condition, especially the brakes.