So, for my first true post I thought I’d talk about bicycle helmets.  Safety is something that’s near and dear to the pediatrician’s heart.  It’s right up there with vaccinations.  I’m sure you’ve heard about it all before, but it is important. According to Safe Kids.org, bike helmets reduce head injuries by 88%.  And a head injury doesn’t just mean a little scrape or bump. A head injury can mean a bleed in the brain, a skull fracture, increased pressure that leads to surgery, permanent brain abnormalities, or death.  

“But my kid won’t wear his helmet!”  It’s your job to make sure they do.  I’ll help you with some common excuses.

*Nobody else has to wear their helmets.  You can always say you’re the better parent, then.  Or point out that you’re not the other kids’ parents.  Or you can talk with the parents of your child’s friends and make it a parental group effort.

*Helmets are big and ugly.  Actually nowadays helmets are made out of materials that allow them to be a lot smaller than they used to.  And there are multiple ways to spice up your helmet-stickers, decals, horns, spikes. It’s all available on the web.   

*I don’t have a helmet.  It’s very easy for the helmet to get parted from the bike, accidentally or otherwise.  Hang the helmet on the handlebars, or on the seat, so that they have to move it to be able to ride.  If they truly don’t have a helmet, then there are many places to get one. Just be sure it is correctly certified. 

*It doesn’t fit.  Actually this is very possible.  Not only do kids grow fairly quickly, but it needs to be fit correctly in the first place.  Nowadays the inexpensive helmets can work just as well as the expensive ones, so go ahead and check out the ones under $20.  Do not get a used one as you have no idea how old it is or if it’s been in a crash.

*It’s too old.  This may be true as well.  Some helmet manufacturers have expiration dates for their helmets.  Unfortunately there is no standard, so you will have to check with the maker of your particular helmet.  Also, for most helmets, if you’ve have a crash you need a new one. Do not reuse it. Some helmet companies, like Bell,  will give you a discount on a new one.

*You don’t wear one.  Even though it may not seem like it, children are always paying attention.  And they see when you tell them to wear their helmets, but then don’t wear yours, so be a good example.  Also, you can get injured just like they can; wear it for your own sake as well.

The bottom line is wear you helmet, have your kid wear their helmet.  That way you’ll be safe in the knowledge that your head is protected, and you can move on to worrying about something else.  Like the cars on the road.