June 11 is Helmet Awareness Day, which means that there are a bunch of retailers out there offering AWESOME discounts on protective headgear! There is a wide range of participating manufacturers, so I'm sure that every noggin - round, oval, slightly lumpy - will be able to find a helmet that works. There is a ton of information on the Riders4Helmets website, including a link to a list of participating vendors. I think Grady and I might even take a trip to a local vendor to purchase a new schooling helmet! A few things to remember when heading out to the tack shop:
1) A helmet is not something you should plan on growing-in to. The helmet you buy today should fit your head today. Period. Kids are always entertained by the fact that I wear a size 6 3/4 helmet (pretty small), but you know what? I have a small head. And it's worth protecting!
2) The "trendy" helmet may not match the shape of your head. You might have your heart set on the style of helmet that you've seen on your favorite Olympian, but when you try it on, it just doesn't fit. Well, it might have to do with the shape of your head! In addition to having a small head, my skull is very round. So helmets molded for "Oval" heads are just never going to work. And you know what? Even though the skull cap I really wanted didn't fit my peanut-sized round head, I LOVE the helmet I ended up with because it fits perfectly!
3) The helmet can't do its job unless its properly adjusted!! I spend a good chunk of every rally tighting chinstraps and harnesses on helmets, and I'll admit, it makes me a bit looney! That chinstrap and harness is there to help secure the helmet to your head! If the helmet slips during a fall, it's not going to work properly, and remember, the purpose of a helmet is to PROTECT YOUR BRAIN-AGE! No, the chinstrap isn't intended to choke you or make you miserable, but it needs to be snug. Check out these HM resources on helmet fit:
Helmet Fit Video
Check out Appendix G of the current HM Rulebook!
Happy Shopping, and don't forget to take a picture of you wearing your new helmet and post it to the Riders4Helmets Facebook Page!
36 Days 'Til Festival!!!
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