DR. WALLACE: One of my friends has run away from home. She's been gone for about two weeks. Last night she called me and said she'll be coming home soon because she called a runaway hotline and they contacted her parents, who will fly to Los Angeles and bring her home.

Could you please find the number of the runaway hotline and print it so other runaways might see it and call for help? Being on the run from home and all alone must be a terrible feeling. Thanks for your help! - Sarah, Reno, Nev.

SARAH: The National Education Association estimates that at any given time over one million teens under age 18 are runaways or "throwaways." A throwaway is a teen feeling intolerable home conditions who is not reported missing by parents, or one who was told to get out of the house and fend for himself.

According to the NEA, over half of these boys and girls have been away from home longer than a month. Those runaways and throwaways who would like help (let's hope all of them) should call the toll-free National Runaway Switchboard at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). The Switchboard counselors can guide teens to safe shelters. They also have an agreement with Greyhound to provide free bus transportation home to all runaways. This wonderful organization is nonprofit.

Thanks, Sarah, for helping your fellow teens in a time of great need! This column is read in many newspapers across the United States, so it's very possible that a runaway could read your letter and my response and be reunited with his or her family. Isn't that a wonderful feeling to know that you have helped a fellow teen?

IMPORTANT BICYCLE SAFETY TIPS

DR. WALLACE: Our 13-year-old son received a new bicycle for his birthday because he promised to wear the properly fitted head gear that we bought for him. We love our son and want the very best in safety for him. All parents should require their children to wear head gear when on a bicycle.

I also want parents to know that the Department of Highway Safety reported that bicycle accidents claim more children's lives than accidental poisonings, falls, firearm injuries or illness. Children age 16 and under account for half of the deaths and two-thirds of the injuries related to bicycling. Parents are encouraged to insist that their child wears a proper fitting helmet with either an ANSI or SNELL sticker of approval.

Parents should also teach your children to walk their bikes across intersections. And finally, instruct your children to obey all traffic signals and signs.

Children are most important in the lives of their parents and protecting them from harm is a must! — Mom, Savannah, Ga.

MOM: Thanks for your important bicycle safety tips. They will provide parents with useful information to help keep their children safer when riding a bicycle.

GOING BAREFOOT IS HEALTHY

DR. WALLACE: I enjoy going about in my house in bare feet whenever possible. My grandfather, who lives with us, keeps telling me that not wearing shoes will cause me to get flat feet. Is this true? My grandmother doesn't think so. She says that Grandpa is wrong so many times that, when he gives advice, she always does the opposite. I hope this is true about not wearing shoes. — Jan, Miami, Fla.

JAN: Grandmother's assessment of your grandfather's advice is right on. In fact, going barefoot is good for you. It contributes to the development of ligaments, muscles and bones in the foot. Just watch out for tacks, broken glass, etc.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.