Helmet Safety and Preventing Child Head Injuries

One of the best ways that you, as a concerned parent, can prevent child head injury, including traumatic brain injury, is to teach your children about the importance of using helmets and enforce helmet use when your child engages in any activity that carries a risk of head injury.

Children and adults should always wear helmets when engaging in any of the activities listed below:

• Riding in all-terrain vehicles
• Mopeds or scooters
• Motorcycles
• Snowmobiles
• Jet skis
• Bicycles
• Skateboards
• Skiing or snowboarding
• Horseback riding

How to Choose a Well-Fitted Helmet

There's no hope of a helmet preventing child head injury if you do not adhere to fitting standards. A good fit is one of the most important attributes of a helmet. If the helmet tilts at all when your child is wearing it, then the helmet needs to be tighter. It should be parallel to the ground when your child is looking straight ahead and standing.

In terms of fit, if your child can slide a finger between the helmet and their head, it is too big. If you cannot find a smaller size then you should purchase "fit pads" which are small pads that attach to the inside of the helmet and create a more snug fit.

To properly adjust the chin straps, pull both ends so that the Y fitting on each side aligns underneath each ear, forming an "x." The chin strap should be flush with your child's lower jaw and cause the helmet to pull down a bit when they open their mouth.

In the interest of preventing child head injuries, your child's helmet should fit well enough so that they forget it is there. A proper helmet can give you the comfort of knowing that you have done your best to ensure your child's safety while letting them explore the world.

If your child has sustained a head injury, whether while engaging in a contact sport, riding a bicycle or in a Massachusetts accident of any sort, visit our library to learn more about coping with traumatic brain Injuries in children. 

The Massachusetts personal injury attorneys at Phillips & Garcia will fight for your rights in your child's head injury case. We are committed to protecting your best interests and helping you and your child collect the damages you need and deserve to move on with your life. If your child has been injured in a Massachusetts accident, contact Phillips & Garcia today to schedule your FREE legal consultation - (877) 892-5620.