Let’s be real: I like to think I’m not a helicopter parent. But when it comes to helmets, I’m basically a hovering drone. My kids can’t even think about hopping on their bikes without donning a helmet first—it’s been the rule since they first climbed aboard their tiny Strider bikes.
Now, I’ve heard the whole litany of excuses for skipping the helmet: “But none of my friends are wearing one!” “It’s too hot!” “I’m only going a few feet!” “It’s just a tricycle!” And you know what? I. Don’t. Care. No helmet? No bike ride—end of story.
My strictness probably stems from my past life as a physical therapist. I’ve seen way too many traumatic brain injuries, and let me tell you, they’re not pretty. Have you ever seen a child’s brain so swollen from a biking accident that doctors had to remove part of their skull? I have. If you witnessed that, you’d never let your child near a bike without a helmet, trust me.
And yes, this helmet rule applies to tricycles, too. Dr. Alan Johnson, an emergency room physician, recently told the press, “Concrete doesn’t forgive mistakes, and falling just a few feet can lead to serious injuries.” A 2015 study in Pediatrics found that kids’ heads were the most commonly injured body part in tricycle accidents. I don’t know about you, but I like my kids’ heads just how they are—cute, round, and full of quirky thoughts (and sometimes questionable jokes!).
Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, even right in your driveway. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, nearly 60% of childhood bicycle-related fatalities occur on minor roads. Most bike crashes happen within a mile of home, and head injuries account for over 60% of these tragic outcomes.
The good news? Kids will wear helmets if we set the right example and stay consistent. Trust me, they’ll start wearing them if they know their bike is going straight to eBay if you catch them without one. They’ll even wear them correctly if you spin a few hair-raising tales about kids with brains so swollen that doctors have to intervene. Kids just want to have fun, and if they learn that bikes equal helmets, they’ll put them on without a second thought.
Also, please ensure that your child’s helmet fits properly and covers the front of their head. I see too many kids riding around with their helmets slipping to the back. The frontal lobe is where all the important stuff happens (like thinking), so it needs protection! If you want more tips on getting the right fit, check out this helpful resource.
I know, I know—sometimes it feels like a hassle or an argument waiting to happen, especially when they’re just in the driveway or their balance bike is practically touching the ground. But trust me, insisting on that helmet is absolutely worth it.
If you’re curious about other related topics, you can check out this informative post on home insemination kits for further reading.
In summary, making your kids wear a helmet is essential for their safety, even in seemingly low-risk situations like the driveway. Accidents can happen anywhere, and taking the simple step of ensuring they wear helmets can protect them from serious head injuries.