Children’s doctor lists five ways to ensure your kid’s helmet fits properly

"If I could prescribe a helmet to every child in Ireland, I would"

While cycling is great fun and a great form of exercise, it is so important to protect children.

CHI staff have spoken in the past about having to treat things like skull fractures, concussions, lacerations and facial injuries that could have been avoided if children and teenagers were wearing helmets on their bikes.

Dr Carol Blackburn, a Consultant Paediatrician in Emergency Medicine at CHI at Crumlin, said: “I urge parents not to underestimate how much speed children build up on a bike, and the impact it can have on their bodies in a crash or collision.

“Just like it is a given that everyone wears a seatbelt in a car, it should be ingrained from a young age that everyone always wears a helmet on their bike.

“Even smaller children on their scooters should start the habit early. If I could prescribe a helmet to every child in Ireland, I would.”

Dr Blackburn went on to say: “Helmets reduce the likelihood of brain injury by over 80% and reduces the likelihood of facial injuries by 65%.

“In countries where the wearing of bicycle helmets has been legislated, evidence reports significant reductions in hospitalisations from head injuries after introduction of helmets as a law.”

Here are five tips to get the perfect fit on your child’s helmet:

1. The best way to get the best fit is to first measure your child’s head and then buy the right size helmet for them. But even then, it will need some adjusting.
2. The helmet should cover most of their forehead with only room for two fingers between their eyebrows and their helmet. If it is too low, they won’t be able to see properly. If it is too high, it won’t protect their forehead properly.
3. The helmet should not move from side to side or backwards and forwards. Use the bands within the helmet to make sure it is stable on their head. Ask them to shake their head to make sure it stays in place.
4. The straps should fit below their ears and be firm and snug. You should not be able to get more than one finger in between the straps and their chin. If you can, tighten them up.
   Check the fit regularly as straps can loosen over time.
5. Don’t forget to set the best example and wear your helmet too.