Baby & child weekender: Get the right bike helmet fit

I see them on little kids at our local playground all the time—bicycle helmets that look like big bubbles, perched high on the crowns of the children’s heads. They look a little silly, but worse, they’re not fitted properly. Getting the right helmet fit is essential in case of an accident.

The front of the helmet should be level and no more than one or two finger widths above the brow. (See the video at right for more information.) The helmet should fit snugly, with the head partially compressing the soft foam pads inside, even before the straps are tightened. The straps should form a "V" under each ear, and the buckle should be centered under the chin, not to the side or along the jaw. The straps should be snug enough that the helmet is pulled down when the mouth is opened.

See our full bike helmet report, and check our bike helmet Ratings to learn which models held up in our tests.

—Artemis DiBenedetto

Comments

[eric]

Unfortunately, this is the problem with mandating many types of safety laws. Sure, people will get a helmet and put it on their kid, but most are too stupid or lazy to take the time to put it on them right. So if they get hurt, they'll just sue somebody and get a lot of money - all for their own negligence.