A Helmet Keeps Your Kid’s Head Safe While Bike-riding!

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With public awareness spreading, many community groups are coming forward to educate parents about this matter. Instructions about safety rules and helmets are given at bike fairs that are held at various schools or other locations. These community groups even offer free helmets or helmets at discount prices to children who need them. They are also helped by police officers in some towns. Those children who wear helmets while riding bicycles are given ice-cream cone coupons. Wishing to do their bit too, many schools are including bicycle safety in their curricula—some have even made donning helmets a compulsory affair.

Okay, society is doing what it can to keep kids safe; you as a parent need to take up some responsibility too! So, how will you get your child/children to wear helmets while riding their bikes?

(1) Ask yourself honestly—how serious are you about wearing a helmet when you go out? If you are lax about safety, chances are that your child has a good argument to put in front of you! Set a good example and he/she will follow.

(2) Let your child (young or old) realize that even professional athletes don helmets, especially members of the Olympics bicycle racing teams.

(3) Oh yes, these helmets are not meant only for riding bicycles. They are also necessary for toddlers on tricycles, as well older children who go in for skateboarding and inline skating.

(4) At the same time, do not get too paranoid and insist that they should be worn on the playground too. There are all sorts of playground equipment to be found in such a place. You do not want the straps getting caught anywhere and strangling your kid/kids. The CPSC even has records of at least two children who died in this manner.

(5) A good way to ensure that your children get used to their helmets is to take them shopping with you and allow them to choose their preferred style, color, and add-ons (such as stickers) themselves. If they wish to, they can decorate their helmets even further!

(6) The helmet should be tried out at the store itself to check that it fits comfortably. The most common reason for refusing to wear headgear is that it is too uncomfortable! The salesperson can aid you in getting the right size.

(7) Keep these tips in mind when trying out the helmet—snug-fitting chin strap; not going back too much so that the forehead is left vulnerable; and not going down too low on the forehead, leaving the back of the head exposed. A good fit is one that is worn level on the head.

(8) Your child is never going to touch his/her helmet if it has poor ventilation. There should be enough (not too many) openings to allow some breeze to flow in. Biking is tough and sweaty work!

(9) Be tough about the rules—no helmet, no riding! If there is a violation of this rule, you can lock up the bicycle for a few days. And no, it will not harm your child to walk a little!