Finding The Right Helmet for Kids

(CBS)  Whether you are riding a bike or rolling down the street on a skateboard, helmets are crucial.

The question is - are you putting the right helmet on your child?

Early Show consumer correspondent Susan Koeppen offered her knowledge on two types of helmets: biking and skateboarding.

When you fall off a bike, Koeppen said, the first thing to hit is usually your head.

"It's going to be a greater distance at a faster speed," she said.

Bike helmets, Koeppen explained, are made to destruct more on impact to fully protect the head.

But skater helmets are made to absorb multiple, milder hits to the head, because when you fall on a skateboard, she said, you land on land your arms or another extremity first.

So what helmet should kids wear if they're not on a bike or skateboard?

If children are on scooters or in-line skating, Koeppen suggested wearing a bike helmet.

But, she said, skate helmets should be worn if kids are going to be doing tricks on their skateboard or on their in-line skates.

Another important thing to remember when wearing a helmet is fit, Koeppen said.

The helmet should not be tilted too far back or too far forward on a child's head. The helmet should be snug and not move too much.

Koeppen told Early Show co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez another rule of thumb is to make sure you can see an inverted triangle of straps on the side of the child's ear.

She reminded adults to make sure the straps are securely fastened on the helmet, as well.

"If you fall and the helmet goes flying, it's really not doing a lot of good," she said.

Rodriguez reminded viewers that helmets can reduce the risk of fracturing the skull -- not prevent concussions.

Koeppen said helmets can reduce head injuries by 85 percent.

"You still need to get checked out by a doctor if you hit your head," she said.

Also, Koeppen reminded viewers to never let children wear helmets in a jungle gym or a tree because of the possibility of strangulation.

Helmets should be replaced every three years, Koeppen said. She added bike helmets should be immediately replaced if you take a spill -- no matter how severe -- or the helmet hits the ground. Skating helmets, on the other hand, she said, are designed to take more hits.

"But if you're in doubt," Koeppen said, "just get a new one."

Koeppen said you can pass helmets down to younger children, you just have to ensure that the fit is correct. She said the better choice is to just get a new one because they're inexpensive, costing around $30.