Essential Bicycle Helmet Tips for Kids
Children love riding their bikes and it is up to the parents to ensure that they always wear the proper safety gear so that no harm occurs in case of an accident. However, if safety is so important why do thousands of children each year get hurt in bicycle accidents? The reason is that they were not wearing safety gear, specifically helmets.
Parents must be diligent about making sure that their children wear the right safety gear to avoid those trips to the hospital. Head trauma is most common in biking accidents so the most important piece of safety gear that parents need to research is the helmet. Do you know what to look for in bicycle helmets so that you buy the best protective piece of gear for your child?
High Standards
When you shop for bicycle helmets, always look for a sticker with CPSC on it as this is an approval from the Consumer Product Safety Commission which inspects the biking equipment to ensure proper safety standards. Every helmet manufactured after 1999 must have the inspection sticker that illustrates its product safety so if you do not see the CPSC sticker, do not purchase the helmet.
Different Types
There are two basic types of bicycle helmets available which have past many safety inspections – a hard shell helmet and a soft shell version. The hard shell bicycle helmets have a hard fiberglass or plastic outer shell which encases polystyrene foam which cushions the head and absorbs the force of impact. The outer tough shell protects the head from any sharp object penetrating through.
The soft shell bicycle helmets do not have the outer shell but still have the polystyrene foam cushion to protect the head from impact in case of an accident. This foam layer is thicker than what is found in hard shell bicycle helmets and is covered in a special coating or even cloth.
Choosing the Right Helmet
Both the hard shell and soft shell bicycle helmets can pass inspection by the CPSC so it is a matter of both preferences as well as how it is used as to which one to purchase for your child. The softer shell is obviously going to be lighter on your child’s head while the hard shell is more unwieldy. Hard shell bicycle helmets are definitely more durable of the two available options and would be best for biking on streets and other hard surfaces.
You must bring your child with you when shopping for bicycle helmets so that you can ensure a proper fit to their head circumference. The helmet should be worn right on top of the head and the forehead should be covered. Bicycle helmets which tip backwards on the head are doing nothing protection-wise so make sure that the helmet fits snugly and will not slide around. A chinstrap is a necessity with bicycle helmets as they will prevent the helmet from falling off or sliding over the eyes obstructing your child’s view. Choose a helmet which offers adjustable foam pads on the inside which can be moved or placed as your child’s head grows. Bicycle helmets which have the capability of providing growing room are the most economical choice.
Tags: bicycle, bike, bike helmet, kids bikes, kids helmet