 Hi, kids. I'm Ines Tenenbaum, Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. I hope your school year is going well and that your day is filled with reading, writing, and spending time with friends. At the CPSC, we're all about keeping kids like you safe, safe in your home and your backyard, safe as you ride to and from school, and safe while you're on the playground or the ball field. Now, I could tell you all about the best ways to stay safe at school, but I believe that hearing from kids just like you is a great way to learn about safety. Wear a helmet made to protect you when you ride a bike, a skateboard, or a scooter, not one made for football or baseball. The helmet should fit snug, be fine on the top of your head, and have a buckle chin shut. It should not move up and down or from side to side. Wearing the right helmet the right way can save your life. Be safe! Did you know that lots of kids go to the hospital because they get hurt on playgrounds? More than 200,000 each year, most are hurt from falls. So if there are no witch-hips or rubber mats under your school playground equipment, talk to your parents and teachers. Tell them that there needs to be a soft surface under your feet to cushion a fall where you climb, swing, or slide. If you're like us, you love to play soccer. But did you know climbing or hanging on soccer goalposts is very dangerous? It can fall over and really hurt you or others standing near the goal. So remind your PE teacher or coach that all goalposts should be securely anchored at all times. Be a winner in the soccer field. Don't use your hands in the game and don't ever hang from a goalpost. You might have lots of sweatshirts, hoodies, and jackets in your closet. But if any of your jackets or sweatshirts have a drawstring in the neck or waist area, ask your parents to cut the string off. It could really hurt you on the playground slides or the school bus door. You can look cool, but be safe. Follow these simple steps. Pay attention in class, play, and ride safely. Have a great year.