As the spotlight on concussion grows, there are preventative measures that parents can take to assist their child in reducing the risk of head trauma. One of the most common questions I get from my hockey and football parents is, ” Are there helmets that can reduce my child’s risk of confusion?” The answer is a strong NO!!  Risk factors such as history of concussions, years of playing contact sports and other behavioural factors play much larger roll in increasing the occurrence of concussions.

Helmets are important and very effective against localized head injuries such as skull fractures but they have limited effectiveness against concussions. So how  does a parent ensure a proper helmet fit for their child? Here are some tips:

1. Get the help of a friend, coach, or parent
2. Use a flexible measuring tape or string
3. Start to measure at a spot on the forehead, about 1″ above your eyebrows (this is where the forehead pad of the helmet will rest)
4. Wrap the measuring tape around the widest circumference of the head to get the most accurate reading
5. Record the measurements in inches and centimeters
6. Consult the size chart of your favourite helmet, right on the product page, to find your proper size

How do I know my helmet fits correctly?

A snug, comfortable helmet will always protect better than an ill-fitting one…no matter how advanced or expensive the helmet. So to make sure you’re getting the best protection possible, when you get you are selecting  helmet for your child, run through these quick steps to make sure it fits correctly:

• Put the helmet on, and adjust the chin strap so it fits snuggly and comfortably
• Check to ensure there is no space between the temples and the inner helmet liner or padding
• Make sure there is no space between the jaw and the jaw pads
• If you purchased a helmet with an air liner and/or inflatable jaw pads, use a helmet pump to inflate the crown, so the helmet sits correctly, and inflate the back of the head and jaw pads to fill in any extra space
• Make sure the helmet does not move when the child rotates or moves his/her head
• Make sure the helmet sits at the proper spot on the forehead and the child has a clear view of the field

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