In the United States alone, about one-half of a million kids are injured in bicycle accidents, and experts warn that most of those injuries could have been avoided if the child has been wearing a bicycle helmet. Finding your child a well-constructed, well-fitting bike helmet is essential before she hits the road. Children's bike helmets generally come in 2 types: hard-shell helmets, which have a layer of plastic or fiberglass around the inner layer of impact-absorbing plastic foam, and soft-shell helmets, which have a thick layer of plastic foam covered with a cloth or surface coating. All helmets come with a chinstrap, to keep the helmet in place.
What to Look for
Search the inside of the helmet for a label saying that the helmet meets the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or the Snell Memorial Foundation (a non-profit group that tests helmet safety). The sticker will say "Snell." Both soft-shell and hard-shell styles meet CPSC guidelines, and deciding between the 2 is a matter of preference. (The outer layer of the helmet keeps the insides in tact; the plastic foam is what absorbs impact in a crash.) Soft-shell helmets tend to be lighter--a boon if your child says he doesn't like a helmet because it makes his head too hot and sweaty--but they're also less durable.
Other things to keep in mind: Choose a bright-colored helmet to help make your child more visible to traffic, and helmets that are well-ventilated will make wearing it more comfortable on hot days or long rides. Lastly, don't overlook fit. A properly fitted bike helmet will sit levelly on top of your child's head and not slide down the back or front. The chinstrap should always be fastened and fit snugly under the chin.
Common Pitfalls
Do not buy a used bike helmet. It may have been refurbished after a crash and/or it may not meet current safety standards. Buying from a reputable bike store means that you'll probably be assisted by personnel who know exactly how to fit your child's helmet. And because a bike helmet should fit your child for several years, look for a helmet with removable padding. When the helmet becomes too tight, you can replace it with thinner cushioning.
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