Buying a Bicycle Helmet

Buy a helmet that has been tested and meets the uniform safety standard issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), or one or more of the voluntary bicycle helmet standards like ASTM, Snell or ANSI. You can tell this by looking for a label or sticker that says the helmet meets the standard. Select a brand and size that fits well prior to any adjustments. Adjustable sizing pads are often included to help ensure a better fit. Buy one that’s comfortable and attractive. You’ll be more likely to wear it. Buy a helmet that fits your child now, not a helmet to “grow into.” Replace any helmet that has been involved in a crash!

Fitting a Helmet

• Put the helmet on your head so it sits evenly between the ears and rests low on your forehead – it should only be about 1-2 finger widths above your eyebrow.

• Put foam pads inside the helmet so it feels comfortable but really snug. Usually, the helmet includes more than one size of foam pads that can be velcroed inside the helmet for a better fit.

1. Tighten the Left Front Strap so that the buckle is under the center of the chin and the straps make a V beneath your ears with the buckle under the ear lobe


2. Adjust the Left Back Strap, pulling any slack away from the front of the helmet


3. Adjust the Right Back Strap, continuing to pull the slack in the strap to lay flat against the head


4. Adjust the Right Front Strap so that you have a V under this ear with the buckle under the ear lobe


5. Adjust the Chin strap so that it is snug and holds the helmet level. You should be able to put one or two fingers between the strap and chin AND be able to yawn, chew, talk with the helmet staying secure.
   

•A Good Helmet Fit is as important as wearing one...but it takes time. Allow as much as a half hour to get a proper helmet fit. If fitting your child, don’t try to “rush” it as they are trying to go outside to ride. Do it while they’re relaxed and you have plenty of time. Then secure the adjustments so the helmet is ready for the next ride.

•When hanging your helmet on your bike at home, school, shops, buckle the helmet and hang it on the handlebars by the buckle and not by the straps that you have fitted to go under your ears.

Helmet Replacement

•Helmets are good for one crash and one crash only
•Replace helmets after one crash or three years – check the ‘birthday’ inside your helmet
•Cut the straps off before throwing a helmet away – if it is not safe for you, it is not safe for anyone else to wear.
•Put your name inside the helmet for emergencies

Major Using Tips

1. With one hand, gently lift the front of the helmet up and push back.
Helmet moves back to uncover the forehead.
Tighten (shorten) front straps to junction under ears while leaving back straps in the same position. Retighten chinstrap as needed. Also, adjust padding thickness and position,especially in the back (and/or front if needed). If this doesn’t work, the helmet may be too big.

2. With one hand, gently lift the back of the helmet up and push forward
Helmet moves forward to cover the eyes
Tighten (shorten) back straps. Make sure chin strap is snug. Also adjust padding thickness and position, especially in front (and/or back as needed). If this doesn’t work, the helmet may be too big.

3. Put a hand on each side of the helmet and rock from side to side. Shake your head “no” as hard as possible.
Helmet slips from side to side.
Check padding on sides and add thicker pads. Make sure strapsare snug and evenly adjusted.

4. Open your mouth (lower jaw) as wide as possible, without moving your head. The top of the helmet should pull snugly against the top of your head.
Helmet does not pull down when opening your mouth.
Tighten chin strap. Make sure the front and back strap junctions rest under each earlobe.

Bicycle Riding Safety Tips for Children

Whoosh! The cyclists shot around the last turn in the race and began their final ascent up the hill. After reaching the apex, they rushed downhill towards the finish line. As the two leaders rolled neck-and-neck across finish line, no naked eye could determine who had won. Watching today’s professional cyclists sport streamlined helmets reminds us that we should use safety precautions, such as a kids playing sign, to protect our children.

In addition to races, cycling can function as an excellent workout and conserve natural resources! People of all ages, including children, can enjoy bicycling. However, like any other recreational activity, safety precautions, such as posting a kids playing sign should be taken.

Bicycle safety starts with a helmet, as the majority of bike accidents include head injuries. Even with the frequent help of a kids playing sign, every year in the United States alone, about 5000,000 children become critically injured in accidents that involve helmets. However, helmets could have prevented the majority of them. When purchasing a helmet for a child, it should meet high safety standards; allow much air to enter; fit well and be adjustable; and be bright. After purchasing a helmet, ensure that the child wears it, does not wear another hat beneath it, and ties the straps. Also, if it is to be as effective like a kids playing sign, the bike helmet should be worn exclusively for bicycling.

Like a helmet or a kids playing sign, clothing is also significant for children’s bike safety. Shoes should be capable of gripping the bike’s pedals. Meanwhile, pants legs should not be overly baggy. Also, lightweight clothes can help to prevent overheating. Lastly, clothing should be fluorescent or brightly colored, functioning like a kids playing sign in making drivers cautious.

To increase cycling safety like a kids playing sign does, children’s bikes should be examined twice every season. In particular, the chain, seat, tires, breaks, and handlebars should be adjusted and undergo maintenance.

In addition to a child’s cycling gear, children’s cycling itself should be safe, by following these guidelines:
- Adhere to all traffic lights and stop signs, as a driver should note a kids playing sign.
- Be cautious of pedestrians.
- Keep a reasonable distance from parked cars
- Look both ways before pulling away from a curb, driveway, or alley.
- Ride on designated bike paths
- Ride with traffic
- Use crosswalks to walk bikes across busy intersections.

Next, children should always be mindful of other bikers and travelers, like a kids playing sign makes drivers aware of cyclists in the area. Cyclists should also cross other bikes on their left; never wear headphones when they are biking; use their left arm to perform correct hand signals; always ride with other groups in single file; and never allow others to sit on their handlebars or seats.

Bicycles offer a healthy and fun exercise for children. Thus, ensuring their safety through means such as a kids playing sign can help to launch a lifetime of cycling enjoyment.