When you crash and hit a hard surface, the styrofoam part of a helmet crushes, controlling the crash energy and lengthening your head's stopping time by about six thousandths of a second to reduce the peak impact to the brain. Thicker foam is better, since it gives your head more room to stop. A plastic skin holds the helmet's foam together and helps it skid easily on pavement, rather than jerking your head to a stop. Straps keep the helmet on your head even after the first impact. The outside of the helmet should be a bright color for visibility in traffic.
Reflective trim is useful at night.
A child of any age needs protection when riding. A small toddler's neck may not support the weight of the helmet, so if in doubt, contact our office for advice. Thousands suffer less severe but debilitating injuries. Your child could suffer from permanent personality changes and learning disabilities from a brain injury, and may be aware of what he has lost. Common long term effects include concentration difficulties, aggressiveness, headaches, and balance problems.