How to get your child to wear a bicycle helmet

              Injury Prevention
Facts & Tips
Rev. October 2011
Injury Prevention Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73117 http://ips.health.ok.gov
How to Get your Child to Wear a Bicycle Helmet
• Begin the helmet habit with the first bicycle. Then it will become a natural practice as your child gets older.
• Teach your child how to buckle the straps. Helmet straps may be difficult for young fingers. Help your child practice until he/she can fasten them easily.
• Always insist your child wear a helmet, even on short rides in grassy areas. Restrict bicycle privileges for failure to do so and be consistent.
• Be a role model and wear a helmet. Point out older children who wear helmets. Children 3 years older than your child are known to be the best role models.
• Praise and reward your child each time he/she wears it. Your youngsters may feel strange at first, so your encouragement is very important. Remind them that bicycle racers, racecar drivers, astronauts and many athletes wear helmets, too.
• Have your child store the helmet with the bicycle. If children have to look for the helmet, they probably won't wear it.
• Encourage your child to individualize the helmet with reflective tape or stickers. This adds fun as well as visibility.
• Encourage other parents to buy helmets. Making helmets popular is the best way to eliminate your child feeling "different."
Internet Resources
• Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (http://www.bhsi.org/kidswear.htm)
• Kids Health (http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/bike_safety.html)
• Consumer Reports (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/video-hub/babies--kids/safety/bikehelmet-safety/17037595001/30321251001/)
• Safe Kids Worldwide (http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-resources-by-risk-area/bicycling-and-skating/)
1. Begin the helmet habit with the first bicycle.
2. Teach your child how to buckle the straps.
3. Be a role model and wear a helmet yourself.
Many injuries happen in predictable, preventable ways.
Universal helmet use in the U.S. could…
• Save 1 life every day;
• Prevent 1 head injury every 4 minutes;
• Save at least $70 million annually.
Live Injury-Free!