Fitting a Helmet - Eyes, Ears & Mouth
By
Ralph Banasiak
Posted: 2020-04-19T12:59:00Z
Plenty of safety groups tout the value of wearing a bike helmet when one rides. What may not be as familiar is how to make sure you, or your child, wears one properly for the most protection. Keep in mind 3 things when you fit a helmet on your head or on your child:
· Eyes - Level the helmet so it rests 1-2 finger widths above the eyebrows, not tilted up or down. When a person looks upward, the bottom edge of the helmet should be visible.
· Ears - Secure the straps so they form a "Y" shape below the ear lobe and are snug against the head.
· Mouth - Fasten the strap buckle tight enough to fit 1-2 fingers between the strap and the chin. When opening the mouth, the wearer should feel the helmet pull down on his/her head.
For more tips on helmet safety, the Cleveland Clinic offers valuable suggestions:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/4374-bicycle-helmet-safety
The League of American Bicyclists provides a short video on properly fitting a helmet:
LAB Bike fitting video
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