Helmet Safety Tips For Parents

It's that time of of the year again when my daughters are ready to get their bicycles out and ride. As a parent you can't protest the safety of riding with a helmet on their head enough. As a Mother myself with three young children I best explained to our Daughters that our brains are a very special/ important communicator for our whole body. We also chatted about a few scenarios of what could happen if you fell off your bike and and did not have your head protected by a helmet. It is great to have your children to be involved in the conversation with you.

So off we went to Target to purchase our new and improved bike helmets. As a Mother I am in love with the new ones. They even have night reflectors in the back of them. Sweet right?

Helmet Safety Tips

• Get an early helmet habit routine set when your child get their first bike. We did this with all of our Daughters and it has helped tremendously. They do not fight us to wear a helmet. Nor do they think helmets are uncool like some of the neighborhood kids who I talked to about wearing helmets. 
• Have the "safety talk" with your child about why they NEED to wear a helmet.  It amazes me how many kids do not know the severity of the injury they can get. Seriously parents. Do a demonstration if you have to.
• We a helmet yourself be a role model. If your child is wearing one should you? I know I have been guilty a few times of this. Shame on me! I am pledging now to wear my helmet now on at all times to be a proper role model for my Daughters. 
• Don't allow them to ride their bikes unless they are wearing their helmets. I have a rule if I see them on their bikes without a helmet, their bike is put away for a certain amount of time. 
• A great site to read when teaching your child to ride a bike. http://www.bhsi.org/kidteach.htm
• Here is another wonderful site full of safety information and helmet information. http://www.nhtsa.gov/Bicycles
• Always wear a helmet in a bike trailer/tag along.  

Therefore be aware and be sure to wear your helmets.