Bike Riding & Beyond: 4 Times Your Kids Should Wear Helmets

1. Bike riding

While bicycle riding is a fun way to exercise and get around, about 26,000 kids go to emergency departments with head injuries each year. Wearing a helmet can decrease the risk of head injuries by about 85% and facial injuries by about 65% among bicyclists. This is true for children as well as adults, so be sure to wear your helmet, too! Learn more about how to choose a bicycle helmet and encourage your child to wear it.

2. Skiing, snowboarding & other snow sports

Kids love heading to the slopes on snowy days. Just remind them to wear their helmets. Snow sports such as skiing and snowboarding are a common cause of recreational sport-related head injuries for children and teens. Helmets reduce this risk, and some research suggests they may help prevent neck injuries, too. Whether your child is skiing, snowboarding or even sledding a snow-covered hill, count on a helmet to help keep them safe.

3. Skating & skateboarding

Whether on wheels or blades, skating is a longtime favorite among children and teens. But without a helmet, young skaters can end up with serious head injuries. Among different types of recreational skating, ice skating has the highest percentage of head injuries. And up to 20% of all these are traumatic brain injuries. Researchers find similar injury patterns with skateboarding. This may be in part because ice skaters and skateboarders tend to fall backwards, making it harder to break their falls with their arms. Whenever your child grabs their skates or board, make sure they have their helmet, too.

4. Horseback riding & other equestrian sports

Concussions are the most common injury among children and teens who participate in horseback riding and other equestrian sports. Research also shows traumatic brain injuries with bleeding inside the head more common among children who weren’t wearing helmets. It’s estimated that helmets can reduce the risk of this type of injury by 96%.

Remember

Talk with your child’s pediatrician if you have any questions about helmets for your child.

More information

• How to Get Your Child to Wear a Bicycle Helmet
• Bicycle Helmets for Kids: Parent FAQs
• Walking and Biking to School
• Bicycle Safety for Kids: Myths & Facts
• How to Protect Child Passengers on Adult Bikes
• Helmet Safety (CDC)
• Which Helmet for Which Activity? (CPSC)

Last Updated
8/9/2022

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention (Copyright © 2022)

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.