Time for Exercise

As summer approaches, it’s time to think about your children’s bicycle helmets. With better weather hopefully comes more outside play, and that can mean mor time on bikes. You don’t want to suddenly realize that their helmet doesn’t fit properly anymore.

You can buy bike helmets online, but doing so should only be done with caution. It’s a real pain to return the wrong size. But if that’s your preference, there’s nothing wrong with it.

A properly fitted helmet should fit as low as possible on the head. I know my preschooler loves to push hers up, which keeps it from protecting her correctly, so make sure your children understand that the helmet needs to sit a certain way for safety. Then enforce it.

The padding should feel snug, not tight. The straps should be tightened sufficiently to keep the helmet from moving when the wearer shakes his or her head. A wobbly helmet won’t stay in place in case of a fall or crash. There’s a balance between tight enough and comfortable that you need to maintain. The Y of the straps should come together just beneath the ears.

If you’re choosing a helmet for a child, there are some checks you will want him or her to make. If the helmet is for you, of course, you would do the same checks. The chin strap should pull just slightly when the mouth is opened. The rim of the helmet should be just barely visible when you look up.

It’s easy to think of the requirement to wear a bicycle helmet as simple overprotectiveness, but it really is important. Head injuries resulting from bicycle accidents can cause brain damage or even be fatal. I’d rather replace a cracked helmet than deal with either of those.

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