• Some helmets are only meant to withstand a single crash, says Toderian, so check the product packaging or manufacturers' instructions to check if yours is a single- or multiple-impact helmet. (The main difference is the type of foam used in the core of the helmet.)
• It's not a lifetime purchase: helmets need to be replaced regularly because weather, temperature and UV rays can cause them to deteriorate. The CSA recommends following the manufacturer's guidelines for the life span, care and use of your helmet. An older helmet may not meet current safety standards, and could have missing or broken parts.
• For many reasons, most experts don't recommend buying a secondhand helmet. "You don't know how old the helmet is, or whether it's been in some sort of a crash, and you really can't rely on a helmet that's been in a crash to protect you from a head injury," says Boxell.
When to get help
The effects of a brain injury – even a mild bump or concussion – are difficult to predict and often not immediate. "No two brain injuries are the same," says Harry Zarins, executive director of the Brain Injury Association of Canada. "That's the scary part – it could be a multitude of issues with a brain injury, not just limited to being stuck in a wheelchair." Signs of a serious head injury that require immediate medical attention include:
• Unconsciousness, person is not breathing, severe bleeding, signs of shock;
• Severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting;
• Memory loss, confusion, difficulty speaking, slurred speech;
• Persistent crying or fussiness (in young children);
• Difficulty waking up or extreme sleepiness;
• Loss of vision, changes in pupil shape or size, abnormal eye movement; and
• Dizziness, unsteadiness that prevents standing or walking.
Zarins recommends all head injuries be evaluated by a doctor. To reduce swelling, apply ice or cold packs, and use acetaminophen to relieve mild headache pain. A responsible adult should watch the injured person for the following 24 hours for signs of the serious symptoms mentioned above.
For more info on helmet safety, check out these sites:
• Safe Kids Canada www.safekidscanada.ca
• Brain Injury Association of Canada www.biac-aclc.ca
• Helmets Save Lives www.helmetssavelives.org
• ThinkFirst Canada www.thinkfirst.ca
• Injury Free Zone, safety games and videos for kids www.injuryfreezone.com
Page 3 of 3 – On page 1, discover everything you need to know before you buy a helmet to keep your family safe.
