With the winter behind us and summer right around the corner, many families are starting to plan their vacation fun. And whether you’ll be traveling out of town or staying closer to home, a family bike ride is always a great way to spend some quality time together, get some exercise, and enjoy the great outdoors. If you have a toddler who will be joining you on these excursions, your primary concern should always be safety; in this case, the use of a toddler bike helmet.
Whether you choose to bring your toddler along with you on your bike ride seated in a special child seat or in a child bike trailer, your child should always be fitted with a safety approved bike helmet. Of all types of injuries that could be sustained during a cycling accident, injuries to the head have the most potential to be serious or fatal. Because the fontanel, or soft spot, on a baby’s skull may not be fully closed until the child reaches two years of age, the use of toddler bike helmet is even more critical at this stage of development.
When selecting a helmet for your toddler, several elements must be taken into consideration. First and foremost, be certain that the helmet meets recognized safety standards, such as ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission). This will guarantee that the helmet you are trusting to protect your child has been subject to rigorous testing and has been proven safe in independent laboratory trials.
Secondly, proper fit is paramount to the safety of a toddler bike helmet. If a helmet does not fit properly and shifts position during travel, it could prove ineffective against the dangers of a bicycle accident. Because the forehead region is generally the first to receive impact, a poorly fitting helmet that shifts backward can fail to protect the child at all, proving altogether ineffective. When choosing a helmet it is therefore usually to select a brand that is sized according to the specific measurements of the toddler’s head so that a snug fit can be guaranteed.
In addition to head circumference, there are other aspects of fit that should be considered. Because there are so many variations in head shape, some helmets are manufactured rounder, while others have a more oval shaped. Some are deeper and some are shallower so that each person can find an option that that fits most comfortably, with the brim of the helmet resting about one-finger width above the eyebrows.
Once a helmet has been determined to be safety certified and properly fitting, the consumer can then consider specific styles of helmets. The two most common styles of toddler bike helmet are sport helmets and road helmets. Sport helmets are usually the best choice for young children because they are light weight and inexpensive, are ventilated, and have a smooth, rounded design which will allow the child to lean back comfortably in their child seat or bike trailer. Road helmets are the lightest helmets available, and are the most aerodynamic. However, because of the protruding shape of the back of the helmet, it can make it very difficult for the toddler to lean back comfortably in his or her seat.
Finally, kids helmets are available in an array of colors and prints to help your child enjoy the process of selecting and wearing this very important piece of safety equipment. Whether a person is shopping for a boy or a girl, there is no shortage of fun and exciting options for your child to choose from. And for the parents’ peace of mind, quality toddler helmets are manufactured by well-known industry names such as Bell, Giro, Specialized, and Oneal. With so many excellent options available, the process of selecting a toddler bike helmet can be a pleasant one with the right research and preparation. With summer coming up so soon, now is the time to choose your toddler bike helmet and keep your family safe!