One of the telltale signs of summer is the sound of children playing outdoors. School will be out in just a couple short weeks and the summer activities can begin.

To prepare children and their families, several agencies are partnering to ensure a fun and safe summer for those who want to participate in one of the most popular nice-weather past times: bike riding.

On Saturday, the Ironton Health Department, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Ironton Police Department, Dickess Auto Repair and Advance Auto Parts will host the fourth annual bicycle rodeo at the Ironton Farmers Market.

This is a free event for children to get their bikes inspected for safety, as well as get properly fitted for a helmet, thanks to a sponsorship by the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Bike riders will also go through a safety course for the chance to get a certificate.

According to KidsHealth, each year, about 300,000 children go to emergency rooms because of bike injuries, and at least 10,000 have injuries that require a few days in the hospital.

So, this event, while fun, is very important. The helmets given away are more than just door prizes. They have the potential to save lives in the event of an accident.

And children must be taught not only the importance of wearing a helmet and being safe on a bicycle, but how to actually put those things into practice properly.

The bike rodeo on Saturday will do just that.