Safety Tips For Kids Using Bicycle Helmets
Tuesday, June 7th, 2011Kids ride on bicycles either as a mode of transportation, or as a kind of recreation. Because safety should always be a priority for parents, children are then provided safety gears. Many mothers and fathers may suppose that for as long as young children put on bicycle helmets, they are already protected from life-threatening accidents. However, it is essential that parents ensure that their children are wearing it properly. After all, a bicycle helmet may only save lives, and minimize the risk of significant injuries, if it is put on properly.
There are many bicycle helmets that can be purchased, but choose the types that have passed safety standards. A helmet may be safe, if it has a seal of approval from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), or from the Snell Memorial Foundation.
A bicycle helmet in no way must disrupt a rider’s visibility. If it blocks vision, choose a different one which allows full visibility. Ask your child as to which helmet can give him good visibility. A good safety tip is to purchase helmets with colors, which make a kid visible to other motorists. It is possible to even encourage your child to put reflective stickers on the helmet to make it more noticeable.
It is also vital that children have the right helmet size, and that they are taught the right way to put on a helmet. Though it may seem like it’s easy, parents must emphasize correct usage since it may save a child’s life. The helmet should be put on flat on top of the head, and it must not cover the top of the forehead. The helmet should also not tilt forward or backward, and the chin strap should be fastened just beneath the chin. Adjust the chin strap when needed, in order to make the fit much more secure. Helmets also come with foam sizing pads, which are necessary to make the helmet fit snugly.
Remember, the helmet must not rock forward or backward, or on either sides so that it can serve its purpose. If a helmet tips forward, the back of the head may not be protected in the event of an accident. Likewise, a helmet that tips backward may not protect the front and side of the head during a crash. For young children with long hair, helmets with ponytail ports are available for a much better fit.
Kids must also be taught to take off their protective head gear before playing with playground equipment, or once they climb trees. Doing so is important because it may be a potential choking hazard, if the straps get caught. Parents must also periodically check the condition of a helmet. Check for cracks, dents, asymmetry or damage, simply because it may no longer be able to guard a child from injuries.
Parents need to emphasize as well, that helmets need to be put on at all times, even at short distances. Tell your kid that though helmets offer protection, it is still not an excuse to be reckless. A lot of children go to the emergency department because of bike associated accidents every single year. Thus taking chances is certainly not an option, particularly if it involves one’s safety.
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