Spring Is In the Air! A Good Time to Think about Injury Prevention!

It is the first day of spring! Life is reemerging in the Midwest. Trees are budding, grass is greening, temperatures are rising. Winter boots are getting packed away into the closet.

Cue the outdoor hobbies. Digging bicycles out of storage, trying out that Christmas e-scooter for the first time, gassing up the motorcycle for a quick ride in the countryside. Skateboards. Scooters. Roller blades. Lots of spring hobbies have wheels.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and spring is a great time to think about HELMETS! Not just for children (but please absolutely for children!). As you dig the wheels out of the garage, find the helmets and make sure they fit. Here are some common questions.

Why Should I Wear a Helmet?

Trauma to the brain can occur as a result of an impact or a jarring motion. Even if you don't lose consciousness, mild brain injury can cause permanent behavioral and cognitive problems, such as memory loss, inability to concentrate, sleep disorders and, in some cases, permanent disability or death. Studies have shown that wearing a helmet reduces your risk of a serious brain injury and death because during a fall or collision, most of the impact energy is absorbed by the helmet, rather than your head and brain.

Won't a Helmet Make Me Uncomfortable and Uncool?

Yes, helmets are uncomfortable and hot. They mess up your hair. Looking cool isn't the point. Helmets are smart.

How Do I Know What Helmet to Wear?

You should always wear a helmet designed for the activity you're involved in to ensure adequate protection. There are specific helmets made for bicycling, motocross, motorcycles, etc. The CDC has recommendations for helmets by type of activity.

With the advent of e-bikes, we've also seen an explosion in head injuries related to these bikes. Given their significant speeds (>20 mph), appropriate helmet usage is critical. A bicycle helmet is not enough -- make sure you wear a certified e-bike helmet that can provide stronger protection and protect a larger portion of your head.

Do Helmets Have a Life Span?

Yes. Helmets should be replaced if they have been involved in a previous collision or at least every 3-5 years due to degradation of foam from UV light, sweat, and environmental exposure.

What If Someone Can't Afford a Helmet?

Many communities have free bike safety events multiple times a year and distribute free bicycle helmets for kids in attendance. You can also reach out to a local trauma center of the Brain Injury Association affiliate in your state for more support.