One of the great benefits of buying a helmet from us for your son or daughter is that we can adjust it to your child's head while you watch. This serves two important purposes: the helmet gets adjusted for optimum safety and you learn the key adjustments and how to make them. This knowledge comes in very handy because kids occasionally like to play with the straps and buckles, altering the fit. So, it's important to regularly check the helmet's fit and correct adjustment problems to keep your child safe and comfortable.

Helmet Adjustment
When making adjustments, don't cinch the chin strap too tightly. While this might feel okay at first, it will probably feel tighter and cause chafing and discomfort on a ride. Watch where the side straps align, too. They should pass next to, not over, the ears. The buckles should rest just below the earlobes. Always check, too, that the helmet rests squarely on the head so that the helmet's brow juts forward to protect the forehead and face during a fall. Some helmets include bumped-out brows or visors for this purpose. The front edge of the helmet should rest at or near the top of the eyebrows. One of the first mistakes a child often makes when putting on his own helmet is to tilt it back, exposing his forehead to the dangers of a fall.

Helmet Care
Another important thing to keep in mind is that the helmet is a protective device that requires proper care to do its job. Teach your child to treat his helmet with respect because if he abuses it, it may not be able to offer total protection in an accident. For example, repeatedly dropping a helmet on a hard surface or leaving it in a parked car on hot summer days are mistakes that can seriously reduce a helmet's protective qualities.

Helmet Institute
For more information about helmets for adults and children, visit the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute.