Do not use a hand me down: A used helmet might not meet current safety standards. It can also have internal cracks or damage you don’t see. If you crash and the helmet receives significant impact, get a new one. Approved bicycle helmets have a sticker from Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Expensive helmets are not necessarily safer than inexpensive ones – make sure the helmet has the appropriate sticker before you buy it. Multi-use helmets and helmets approved for other activities, such as skateboarding, are not recommended unless they’re CPSC approved for bicycling. Hard shell and soft shell helmets have the same interior and are considered equally protective so long as they're CPSC-approved. Hard shell helmets are heavier and may be strenuous on a young child's neck. Many helmets are brightly colored or have graphics from children’s television or movies. These help drivers see your child and help motivate your child to wear them.  Helmets can be decorated with reflective stickers. To check if an approved helmet was recalled see the CPSC’s recall page