Need Advice for Toddler Safety Helmet

I would recommend buying a skate board helmet rather than a standard bicycle helmet. Last summer my 4 yr old son was riding his bike and had a pretty bad wreck. He was wearing a bicycle helmet which we thought would protect him. However, the type of helmet he was wearing did not cover the sides of his head, and he hit the side of his head right above the ear which was not covered by the helmet. After a trip to the emergency room, the doctor recommended that we get a skate board helmet because it does cover the sides of the head. Luckily my son was ok, but I went right out and bought all 3 of my children skate board helmets instead of the standard bicycle helmets.

Take him to the store with you & try on different syles of helmets (most for a 3 yr. old are the same). So You can see which will fit him the best. I don't think he needs one for his Power Wheel, but definatly for a bike! I have 2 very active (& accident prone (at times)) boys. One idea is to get a plain colored helmet(he chooses the color) & let him put his favorite character stickers all over it! He can make it his own & may be more willing to wear it since he is able to decorate it. Most will be difficult to adujst. If they adjust too easily they may loosen as he rides & that would be dangerous in an accident. Look for air vents & pads (on the inside). These will make it more comfortable.

I'm not sure if you are in the St. Louis, MO area or not, in the event that you are, St. Louis Children's hospital has helmet fittings, they also sell them if you don't have one. If you want to contact them I recomend calling 454-KIDS and asking them when they are having a fitting or if you can set an individual appointment. They may also a safety lesson that you can sign up for. If you aren't in St. Louis, try your children's hospital or your pediatrician and see if they can help ya out! Good luck!

I would check with a local hospital I have gotten them there for my kids and they will fit them for you

Check with your local police department. They may know of a bicycle rodeo coming up in the spring or summer. These are fun community events that teach bicycle safety. Often they give away free helmets. Regardless, they can help you fit the helmet you purchase properly.
Be persistant on making him wear it. There will be days that it will be a struggle. Especially as he gets a little older and his friends might not be wearing one. Our youngest son was saved twice by his helmet. The first time he went without training wheels, he took off like a bolt of lightning. He also crashed like thunder. His helmet took the brunt of the fall. (It cracked the helmet and we had to replace it) The second time, he was 11 years old and t-boned a SUV. He was riding fast with his head down when he crashed. He was looking at how fast his feet were pedling. Again, the helmet took the brunt of the crash. He put a large dent in the side of the Bronco. He went to the ER, had x-rays and thank God, was fine. We had to replace that helmet as well. I shudder to think what would have happened if he hadn't had that helmet on. That particular helmet was a Bike Rodeo helmet that was donated by the Kiwanis Club. I'm glad that you are getting him into the habit of a helmet early. Way to go Mom!

I bought my son's first helmet at a bike shop. They had a helmet that adjusts to his head. It had a knob in the back to tighten or loosen. I don't know the brand. Just ask. A bike shop will fit him for the helmet unlike buying one at Walmart

I took my kids to an actual bicycle store and they fitted them. I wouldn't just go buy one at Toys-R-Us etc....I live in the Northland and there is a bicycle store on Prairie View if you're familiar with the area.---J. C

Just about any toddler size helmet is great. You can check with the area hospitals, a lot of time they have bike safety days where they will give you a helmet. If there isn't one in the near future I am sure you could contact someone from the hospital about showing you the right way to put one on. Remember that bike helmets are not a toy and should only be used when riding a bike.

Hi!
Look for the helmets that have the thick plastic overlay on the Styrofoam, not the ones that are so thin like disposable glad wear. The cost a bit more, but will last years instead of a month or two. You can find them at Target or Wal-Mart, just about any place.

Maybe even let him choose the character or design on the helmet! Make it a big kid fun decision for him.
Good Luck, Have Fun!
Jess

I am right with you. I have a very energentic three year old boy. I would not purchase a helmet at toys rus or any of those places, I get his fitted for him. All three year olds don't have the same side head. I'm not sure what area you live in, but I know Childrens Hospital does fittings there and the helmets I think are only $8.00. I take my son to a branch of Childrens on Clarkson and Baxter ###-###-#### ask for A.. My question is do we need to put them in knee and elbow pads? Have a great and safe summer, if it gets here!!
A.

I know because of my job that there will be a free Health Expo that is really big with over 50 exhibitors at Mineral Area College on April 19 from 8 to noon and Mineral Area Regional Medical Center will be there giving away free ones and will be doing helmet fittings to make sure they are right. Also will be a lot of great fun for kids. You should take him. Lots of free fun for adults and kids!

We got our helmets at the fire station. They're free! The kids got to pick out their color, and then we had a tour of the firestation. They even got to sit in the truck. It was a fun outing, and of course, they love their helmets.

Remember that we all grew up just fine without helmets! If you were anything like me you played outside a lot, fell down, got scratched up a bit, but were fine. That's how a lot of us learned balance and how we learned to be careful. Millions of people in this world have survived without helmets! My advice would be to let him go without one. I personally think they're pointless. Just a thought.

I don't know where you are from but last weekend in Sedalia at a church they had a child safety organization giving out bike helmets and car seats. They would fit the children for the helmets and seats. There may be some kind of program in your area that does this also. My daughters are grown now but I remember when we went and got theirs. Those were the days!!! Good luck finding a place that does this in your area.

G. - Starting him out with a helmet at this age is a great idea! Good for you. I have gotten all of my childrens helmets (ages 2 - 5) at a bicycle shop. Their sales people were very knowledgeable and all of the kids wear their helmets without a problem. If you make it seem "cool" for him to wear it I'm sure he will.

Good luck.
K.

Ask your pediatrician's office. Most offices offer a bike helmet clinic where you take the child and they get fitted properly and it is usually a minimal price like $10.

I think we worry too much now days. When I was growing up,(not that long ago)you never saw kids with helmets on and we are all fine. I have a 20 month old and we won't be buying a helmet for him. I think if you are continuosly watching your kid(like a good parent should do)he will be just fine!