Now that the warmer weather is arriving, children are getting excited to get out there and take part in some of their favorite activities again. They can pull out the bubbles, the sidewalk chalk, the bikes, and the rollerblades. Outdoor activities are fun, but they can be a bit dangerous. In order to let children explore their adventurous side and develop risk management skills, which are vital for child development, there need to be some safety considerations. When riding a bike, skateboard, scooter, or other similar toy, children need to be wearing a helmet.
The only glaring problem with that is the fights that can sometimes ensue when mom tells her child that they need to put on their helmet before going for that bike ride. Children often put up a fight because they do not want to wear the helmet. It is bulky, hot and they may even think they don’t look 'cool.' The fight can be so persistent that mom may be tempted to let them go without it. However, this would be a mistake, and possibly a dangerous one.
It Is A Problem
Some may think that this isn’t even an issue anymore; everyone knows that you need to wear a helmet when you are playing outside, especially if you are near cars and other motorized vehicles. However, this may not be the case.
According to Health Day, a nationwide survey from 2019 showed that only 29% of children said that they wear a bike helmet when they are riding their bikes. However, 41% of parents said that their children wear a helmet, proving that some children may not be entirely truthful with their parents.
Are They Really Important?
Yes. The simple answer is that bike helmets are really that important for children. According to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the most serious risk for children who do not wear a helmet is brain injuries. This is enough of a reason for a child to wear a helmet, brain injuries can leave a child with severe disabilities for the rest of their lives, or it can be fatal.
When a child wears a helmet when they are riding their bike, the risk of head injury is dropped 45%.
The risk of brain injury, facial injury, and fatal injury is also dramatically reduced. Children under the age of 18 are also required by law to wear a helmet, depending on the state. California, for example, requires all riders under 18 to wear a helmet.
Helmets Are Cool
Helmets also prevent facial injury in children, according to Kids Health. Facial injuries can be minor, but they also can be severe enough to require plastic surgery and could leave scarring that a child will have to live with for the rest of their lives. This is another valid reason why children need to be wearing a helmet.
However, a helmet is only as good as long as it fits properly. A child should have a helmet that fits them perfectly. A helmet that is too loose (or too tight) will not offer the same amount of protection. Helmets are government-regulated, and guidelines can easily be accessed online. The next time a child complains about wearing their helmet, a reminder about the importance of safety rules may be needed.
Sources: Kids Health, Health Day, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles