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HELMETS REDUCE THE RISK OF HEAD INJURY

For biking, skateboarding and the now-popular rollerblading, a helmet can be your most important piece of safety equipment. In the past, the focus was primarily on the use of bicycle helmets. But anyone who is on wheels needs to wear a helmet to protect themselves from serious injury.

Wearing a helmet can drastically reduce the risk of death or serious injury resulting from accidents. Helmets are designed to absorb most of the impact of a crash before it reaches the brain. The choice of a helmet is an important one. Most helmets weigh between seven and 14 ounces and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They range in price from $25 on up. ICNJ offers the following tips when selecting a bicycle, skateboarding, or in-line skating helmet:

Choose an approved helmet. Bicycle helmets should bear either an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or a Snell Memorial Foundation standards decal. These verify that the helmet has passed stringent testing. Authorities are currently developing quality guidelines for other types of helmets. Since these guidelines are not yet mandated, most manufacturers of skateboarding and in-line skating helmets test their helmets according to bicycle helmet standards.
Make sure the helmet fits properly. Helmets come in many sizes. A proper fitting helmet should be snug but not tight and should feel comfortable when the strap is fastened. It should sit on the head in a level position and should not rock back and forth or side to side. Most helmets come with different size foam pads which can be inserted for a custom fit.
Consider the helmet's composition. Quality helmets have a stiff and smooth outer shell that lessens the impact of a fall and protects against sharp objects. The inside should have an inner liner that absorbs the energy of a fall. Helmets should also have adequate ventilation. No matter what the helmet's composition, however, remember that a helmet is only good for one impact and should be replaced afterwards.
Choose a reflective or highly visible helmet. Helmets in bright reflective colors such as white and orange are highly visible during both day and night. Black helmets with bright reflective decals are also a good choice because black shows up well during the day. Be careful of red and yellow helmets which sometimes appear to wash out in bright sunlight.
Buy a helmet that is equipped with a secure chin strap and buckle. The chin strap should be made of a non-stretch material so that once fastened the helmet will not shift or fall off.