As a parent you make dozens of decisions daily in an effort to keep your children safe. Choosing the right bicycle helmet and enforcing its use should be at the top of your list. Browse these stats: Properly wearing a bicycle helmet has been shown to reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent and the risk of brain injury by almost 90 percent. Yet, only 5 percent of children nationwide currently wear helmets while bicycling. Hmmm, you made your child brush his teeth this morning, but you're letting him roam the neighborhood without a helmet? Consider this: Each year, more than 130 children die from bicycle-related injuries and approximately 270,000 are treated in emergency rooms. Of these, nearly half (47 percent) have traumatic brain injuries. This isn't to scare you; it is all about educating you as a parent. The bottom line – a bike helmet is fundamental safety gear as accidents are always unforeseen.
So, as the great parent you are, you're easily convinced your child needs a helmet, but how do you select the right bicycle helmet for your child? Here are four tips to get you started:
- Shop local! Start at your local bicycle shop. These people eat and breathe everything bicycle related, and they know what they are talking about. In addition fitting your child with the correct bicycle helmet, ask a professional to provide a safety check of your child's bike. If you aren't lucky enough to have a local bike shop, all large retail stores carry bicycle helmets for children.
- Look for the sticker! The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sets the bar for helmet requirements, so look for this sticker inside the helmet. No sticker, no sale… it is that simple!
- Resist the temptation to save a buck buy buying used. Has the helmet has been through a minor "fender-bender" which may hinder its safety? You just don't know. Likewise, being that all helmets must meet the CPSC standards to get the sticker, it might not be necessary for you to spend big bucks on your child's first helmet. Keep in mind that safety is first, but comfort and visual appeal are crucial to getting your child to wear his/her helmet. Spending an extra $10 on a helmet your child deems "cool" might be well worth it.
- Proper fit is key. Proper fit of your child's bicycle helmet is the key to appropriate protection. Here, again, the local bike shop can come in handy- helping you understand how the bicycle helmet should be worn. Here is a primer: Start by placing the helmet directly on top of your child's head. Adjust the inner band, and pads if necessary. The helmet should cover most of his/her forehead. The chin strap should then be adjusted to fit snuggly so the helmet does not tip back. Your child's bicycle helmet should offer minimal movement. It should fit snuggly. Helmets that are lose and tip forward covering the eyes, or backward, exposing the forehead are simply not doing the job.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that 95% of bicyclist killed in 2006 were not wearing helmets. That is a figure you just can't ignore. But we all know that getting our children to wear their helmet is often not an easy task. Here are a few tips to help you win that battle:
- Set the standard. Your tot will surely be looking to you for guidance, so set the standard by always wearing your helmet (and wearing it properly!) How can your child take you seriously if you aren't abiding by your own rules? It's a basic law of parenting that is sometimes easier said than done. Finally, make sure you enforce the helmet rule equally with children of all ages.
- Start early! Like using a seatbelt, or sitting in their car seat, wearing a helmet should be viewed as another MUST. If they learn early that wearing their bicycle helmet is simply a must when riding their bike (just like the seatbelt in the car), they won't continue to fight it. Consistency is absolutely essential, and again, the younger your child is when you start enforcing this rule, the better. This takes a bit of work on your part, but eventually, you'll win!
- If your child likes their helmet they are much more likely to wear it. After a proper fitting of course, let them have a say in what helmet you purchase. Let them customize it with a sticker or permanent pen.
- Reinforcement helps establish a positive habit. You know your child best, and if pleasing you is their top priority, you are certainly lucky! For the rest of us, bring out the praise when your child wears their helmet without (much) complaint, or even dons the noggin protector without being told. When you see their favorite characters wearing a bicycle helmet, be sure to make a big deal about it. You know you'll find Elmo wearing a helmet when he rides a bicycle, so bring it on Elmo! Likewise, older children can observe most professional athletes wearing helmets or some sort of protective gear. You may even think of checking a book out at the library about the topic, or attending a fun bicycle safety event.
- In many areas, wearing a helmet is THE LAW! Let your child know that this isn't just "mom or dad's stupid rule", it's the law. Explain that operating a bicycle, just like operating a car, comes with a certain amount of responsibility. -And the duty of the police office is to enforce these laws. Hopefully, knowing that wearing their helmet is the law will help encourage them to do the right thing.
In the end, remember, you're the parent. It is absolutely your responsibility to be sure your child wears his/her helmet at all times. Following the guidelines we outlined above will make this tough job a bit easier. … So isn't now a great time for a family bicycle outing?