Your kids are on the move. Your pediatrician has advised you to make sure they wear their safety gear, especially a safety helmet, to protect those hard heads of theirs. Now how do you make sure you’re getting the right helmet and the right helmet fit?
This is extremely important as more than 80,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries related to skateboarding alone.
Find the Right Helmet Fit
It’s imperative that a helmet fits your child correctly and that your child knows how to put it on. It should sit level on your child’s head without rocking forward, backward or side to side. The straps should be buckled securely under their chin. And the helmet should meet this 3-point fit criteria:
1. Once the helmet is positioned level on your child’s head, they should be able to look up and see the bottom rim of the helmet which should be 1 to 2 finger widths above the eyebrows.
2. The straps of the helmet should form a “V” under your child’s ears when buckled with a snug yet comfortable fit.
3. With the helmet still in a level position on your child’s head, have your child open their mouth as wide as they can. Does the helmet hug their head? If not, tighten the straps with the buckle lying flat again their skin.
Other Safety Gear to Consider
There is more safety gear you may want to purchase for your child, especially if they are a beginner to outdoor activities with movement toys.
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Wrist guards
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Knee Pads
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Elbow Pads
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Mouth Guards
Other Safety Considerations
Make sure your children are able to check their skates, boards, scooters, and bikes for problems before each use.
Have your children ride on a smooth, dry surface in a well-lit area away from car traffic.
Per the American Academy of Pediatrics, children under 5 should not ride a skateboard as their balance has not yet fully developed and puts them at a higher risk of injury.
Now go play smart!
P.S. What’s Your Safety Recommendation?
