Pediatrics for Parents

Safety Helmets

Marque Thompson

Cammie is riding her scooter in the driveway with her friend Kelly, having a great time. They are riding around the house and racing each other down the hill in the cul de sac. All of a sudden, Cammie hits a small rock with her wheel and she falls to the ground with a loud thud. Kelly is laughing, until she realizes that Cammie is not getting up. She runs inside to get her mom and they rush Cammie to the ER. She is admitted with traumatic brain injury. Her future, once filled with all the hopes and dreams of a child, does not look bright. The nurses tell Cammie's mom that this would have most likely been prevented if she had been wearing a helmet. One simple action could have prevented this unspeakable tragedy. Unfortunately, this is not a unique situation.

At least 400,000 children visit emergency rooms every year in bike-related crashes and as many as 600 are killed, many under 14 years old. This is more than accidental poisonings, falls and gun related injuries combined. Just by wearing a helmet the risk of head injury is reduced by at least 85%. This means a lot when you consider that half of all bike-related hospital visits are diagnosed as traumatic brain injury. And brain injury is the leading cause of death in bike crashes. The disturbing thing is that recent studies show only about five percent of children wear bike helmets and even fewer wear helmets on scooters or other "wheels."

"Most parents and kids don't understand just how fragile the brain is and that a fall from as little as two feet and at surprisingly low speeds can be serious. No parent or child should have to learn such a painful lesson," says Dr. Martin Eichelberger, Director of Trauma and Brain Services, Children's National Medical Center. He goes on to say, "I am faced with the awful task of telling parents that their child suffered brain damage that could have been so easily prevented with a helmet."

The single most effective way to reduce head injury is to wear a properly fitted helmet. So what is a properly fitted helmet? It must be level on the head with the fitting pads inside touching all the way around and the strap must be comfortably snug. Adjust the fitting pads to customize the fit, if necessary. Push firmly on the helmet's front edge. If the helmet moves enough to expose the forehead, shorten the front straps and tighten the chin strap to fit. Grasp the helmet by its rear edge and push it toward the front. If it moves enough to cover your eyes, shorten the back straps. Repeat these steps until there is a proper fit.

When does a helmet need to be replaced? If it has been in a crash or is very old you should replace it. If the outside is just foam or cloth instead of plastic or it doesn't have the CPSC, ASTM or Snell sticker. Finally, if you can't adjust it to fit correctly or your hates it, replace it.

There are different helmets for many activities. A bike helmet will not work as well on a skateboard and vice versa. According to Consumer Reports, the only multi sport approved helmet is the W Ripper2 multi sport, multiple impact helmet.

All approved helmets will have a standard safety sticker. This sticker will be CPSC, ASTM or Snell. The multi-sport helmet must be N-94 standard established by the Snell Memorial Foundation. Skateboard helmets will have either ASTM F-1492 or Snell N-94 stickers. Equestrian helmets will have the ASTM F-1163 sticker.

With spring just around the corner and great weather on the way, children will be coming outside to play on their "wheels." Do not negotiate on helmets. Treat it like a car seat or auto seat belt. There is no discussion. No helmet, no riding. Period.er focusing on preventive and natural treatements for young children. Her articles have appeared in many publications.

Marque Thompson is a free-lance writer focusing on preventive and natural treatements for young children. Her articles have appeared in many publications. She lives in Charlotte, NC, with her husband and three children.