Stay Safe, Ride Smart: Helmet Safety for Kids
September 19, 2025Whether your child enjoys cruising through the park on their bike, zipping down the sidewalk on their scooter or learning cool tricks on their skateboard, there's one thing they always need: safety gear!
Let’s talk about helmets and how to wear them correctly to keep your children as safe as possible.
What to Know
The brain is one of the most important parts of the body. When your child rides a bike, scooter or skateboard, wearing a helmet helps protect their brains if they fall or hit their heads. Helmets can prevent serious injuries and even save lives. But here’s the thing: helmets only work if they are worn the right way.
There’s a simple trick to remember when putting on your child’s helmet called the “2-2-2 Rule.” First, place the helmet so it sits level on their head. You should be able to fit two fingers between their eyebrows and the bottom of the helmet. This helps make sure their forehead is covered and protected. Next, buckle the chin strap so it fits snugly under the chin. You should be able to fit two fingers between the strap and their chin. If it’s too loose, the helmet might fall off. If it’s too tight, it might be uncomfortable. A good way to check this is to have your child open their mouth with the helmet on. If there is a gentle tug, the helmet is tight enough. Lastly, check the side straps and make sure they form a “V” shape right under the ears. This helps the helmet stay in the right spot on your child’s head.
A lot of kids wear their helmets the wrong way without realizing it. Some common mistakes include wearing the helmet too far back on the head, leaving the straps too loose or using a helmet that is too big or too small. A good way to test your child’s helmet is to ask them to gently shake their head. If the helmet moves around, it needs to be adjusted.
Safety Gear 101
If your child is riding a scooter, skateboard, rollerblades or bike, it’s a good idea to wear more than just a helmet to protect the rest of their body. Wearing wrist guards helps protect their wrists if they fall, and knee and elbow pads can prevent painful scrapes and bruises. They should also wear closed-toe shoes like sneakers, not sandals or flip-flops, so their feet are safe while riding.
In order to keep your child the safest, ensure they always wear their safety gear - even for short ride. It’s also important to ride in safe areas away from traffic, checking equipment before riding and following the rules of the road. Stopping at corners and looking both ways before crossing will keep your child and others safe.
Parents, your child is more likely to wear their helmet if they see you wearing one too. Make wearing a helmet a safety a habit for the whole family. Helmets should be replaced after any big crash or every five years, whichever comes first.
Now that we've reviewed how to wear helmets and gearing up safely, your child is ready to ride! Whether your child is scootering around the block, cruising on their bike or learning new tricks on their skateboard, always ensure they wear their helmet and safety gear. Riding is more fun when we’re protected, so let’s stay safe and ride smart!
