Does your child wear a helmet on a tricycle?

[Anonymous]

Ok-I am not a neurotic mother who makes their kids wear knee pads and helmets while walking down the street. I never wore a helmet when I was a kid riding a trike. But, then again, as a child of the 70's, I also never had to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle either. I just bought a great tricycle for my soon to be 3 year old and my initial reaction was not to buy a helmet because that would be silly. I am not concerned about safety, since it is only a trike. But, my kid is very headstrong and I was thinking that it would be good to instill safety values in now so I don't have a big argument when we actually get him a bike or scooter. This is obviously not a question of paramount importance, but I was just curious. I have a bet with my husband also as to what is the trend about this, as he is adamant that we would look insanely neurotic by forcing our kid to wear a helmet on a trike!

[Anonymous]

Nothing neurotic about wearing a bike helmet on a trike. Our daycare requires that kids of all ages wear helmets when they are using wheeled things outdoors-that even includes push toys. A head injury is a serious thing and can happen so quickly and easily. Don't risk your son's health and well being. If your son is anything like ours he can even flip a trip once he gets the thing going. It does install good habits for when they ride a bike. Personally, I won't let our DS ride a bike or a trike WITHOUT a helmet.

[Anonymous]

Ours did and now that they ride a two wheeler, it is automatic, they get on their bike, scooter, skis, sled, etc, they put on whatever helmet they have for it.

Lead by example and get one for your bike as well.

People don't realize it but the fall for a kid from a trike is usually very awkward and the kids rarely let go of the handle bars because it is falling at a strange angle. Guess what the first thing to hit the ground is?

A helmet for a kid that age is about $20 seems like a no brainier to me- pardon the pun.

Put a helmet on the kid, it might save his life.

[Anonymous]

Yes. If they wear the helmet from the get go then it will be easier for them when they are older.

[Anonymous]

good question! I bought my 22-month-old daughter a trike recently and my dad asked me if I bought her a helmet too. It hadn't even occurred to me, since she's sitting a foot off the ground. I'll buy her one this weekend, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. If they wear the helmet from the get go then it will be easier for them when they are older.

Agree!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. If they wear the helmet from the get go then it will be easier for them when they are older.

Agree!

I also agree with this. Plus, trikes can tip if turned to sharply. Both of my kids wore helmets while on trikes.

[Anonymous]

My cousin is an ER doc and educated the family on this--we all have the kids use helmets on trikes. Small children on tricycles even low to the ground can get serious head injuries and as it's almost fully preventable with helmet use, it's the thing to do. I agree with PPs, too, that it just sets up good habits and you don't have to battle later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Small children on tricycles even low to the ground can get serious head injuries and as it's almost fully preventable with helmet use, it's the thing to do.

Yep, they can get serious head injuries when they're *off* tricycles as well. It's almost fully preventable with helmet use. That's why our DD wears one of these unless she's in the bathtub:

http://www.thudguard.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. If they wear the helmet from the get go then it will be easier for them when they are older.

Yep, this. Also agree that leading by example is a great idea.

[Anonymous]

One other thing,

Make sure they fit, a helmet that is too big or not worn properly will not help.

[Anonymous]

Yes. It's a matter of safety. I don't care if anyone thinks I'm neurotic.

[Anonymous]

Elmo on Sesame Street wears a helmet on his tricycle. I do have to admit though that we don't always enforce that they wear a helmet on the tricycle inside. I think it's a good idea though. My 4.5 year old dd will get on her tricycle still and really pick up speed. I will start doing this beause she is making me nervous when she goes around a corner on two wheels.

[Anonymous]

Where will the child be riding?

When my son just had a big-wheel thing (with a handle for the parents), it never occurred to me to get a helmet. Then one day we went "around the block" which led to him wanting to go full speed down a hill. I really, really wished at that moment he had a helmet on. But if your child is just riding around a small patio/basketball court, I don't think you will need it.

As far as the ease of transition. My son was hesitant about the helmet for his two-wheeler. But all it took was one fall (with the helmet on) and he now won't even consider riding the bike without his helmet. Everytime he has a tumbe he says "that's why you wear a helmet"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. If they wear the helmet from the get go then it will be easier for them when they are older.

that is the main reason why we have our DD wear one now when she rides her "bike"...