Helmets are a must for any biker’s safety. They not only protect riders from injury but also fatal or near-fatal accidents. Helmets serve as protection against head trauma, such as dents and discolorations, and can reduce the risk of developing skull fractures and brain bleeds. Yet, the importance of helmets is often overlooked by both cyclists and drivers on the road. It is essential to realize that you should replace a helmet after an accident where it takes impact. Additionally, their shelf life expires, so they need to be replaced more frequently, sometimes due to age or wearing damage.
When Should You Replace Your Helmets?
Helmets usually have a five-year shelf life, but this does not mean that they are no longer safe after five years. Helmets are designed to take the impact of up to one hundred times its weight. But after an accident, the helmet is damaged and will no longer be able to protect the user. Helmets that are cracked or dented may not protect the user adequately anymore if they are taken into another accident. It is essential for cyclists always to wear helmets at all times on the road. Even if they do not need them until later, falling off a bike can happen any time so being prepared is crucial for preventing severe head injuries.
According to the U.S Department of Transportation, 2,213 cyclists were killed in accidents in 2011. Of these, 12 percent or 500 cyclists died from head injuries, and nearly half of all cyclist crashes resulted in a fatality. Pedestrians and motorists also involved in crashes can also cause serious head injuries which helmets cannot prevent. While wearing a helmet will not guarantee your safety during an accident. It is essential to think about how much impact your head can take when you are hit. The price of a helmet is directly related to quality and durability. And it is best to replace them earlier rather than later if they become damaged or result in too much wear and tear.
When a helmet is not as helpful as it once was, it is time for a new one. Cracks and dents may cause the helmet no longer to protect the skull of the user from injury. If a helmet is left in a home where it will not come into contact with an accident, then that helmet can be kept for years, even decades before its shelf life expires. The cost of helmets often greatly depends on their quality, so choose a higher quality helmet or spend less money if you do not have much to spare. If you are lucky enough to have your bike shop, you should always check out any helmets before purchasing them since they usually have some warranty or replacement price.
Helmets do not have a shelf life that the manufacturer regulates. As long as a helmet is still in use, it is considered safe to use. However, if a helmet shows signs of damage or shows extreme normal wear and tear, you should replace it. Helmets made from polycarbonate last longer than those made from fiberglass or plastic. Polycarbonate can withstand impacts better than other materials, so they are made to last for years on the road.
Replacing a Helmet After an Accident
Being involved in an accident is not only dangerous for the rider who was hit but can also have a direct impact on other riders. Motorists should be aware of the dangers of leaving the scene of an accident, and cyclists must be aware of their surroundings at all times. When a cyclist is involved in a wreck, it isn’t always entirely the fault of one party. Drivers often leave the scene without stopping to check if anyone was injured or notify authorities. People who hit cyclists mustn’t drive off from the scene because it could result in legal trouble and physical danger for other riders.
Direct financial liability is not the only responsibility of an at-fault driver yet. When a bike rider sustains an injury or is killed in an accident, the victim’s family will be searching for answers if there are no witnesses of the accident. Then it will be more challenging to prove that the driver did not stop or did not leave a scene of an accident. Many states have laws on what negligent drivers must do if they hit cyclists.
While cyclists can develop some kind of helmet-related injury after hitting their head on something while riding on the road, most injuries are preventable. Helmets must protect against head trauma, even if no one sees it happen during a crash.
How to Properly Fit a Helmet
Many helmets come with a built-in “Caliper,” which is a way of measuring head circumference. Using this device, you can measure your head and get the perfect fit for your helmet. A properly fitted helmet should be snug enough so that it does not move around on your head when you shake or nod it up and down. It also should not rock from side to side or front to back.
A helmet should also sit directly above the eyebrows, not on top of them, and be the same height as your eyebrows. The chin strap should fit around the back of your neck, sitting over the bottom edge of your collarbone. This measurement will ensure that there is no gap between the straps and your chin.
The last step in fitting a helmet is to make sure it fits on both sides. When you look in a mirror with your head tilted down so that it’s level with the top edge of the helmet. There should be no gap between this line and where your ears sit. But, if the helmet is too tight, blood circulation may be interrupted and cause headaches or dizziness. If the helmet feels loose, it doesn’t provide proper protection in the event of an accident.
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Conclusion
A helmet is a small price to pay for protection, and it should be worn at all times when riding a bike. By following these simple guidelines. You can ensure that you are equipped with the proper protection and comfort while enjoying your favorite hobby. If you wear a helmet the proper way, it can help reduce or prevent damage to your head in case of an accident if you choose the correct helmet. Such as the Giro Feature mountain bike helmet will also protect against everyday bumps and accidents away from the road. It’s essential to keep in mind that helmets do not protect against neck injuries or spinal damage. So anyone involved in a fall off of any kind should seek medical help immediately.