Riding Toys All children older than age 1 should wear properly fitted and approved helmets when they are riding toys with wheels or using any wheeled equipment. Helmets should be removed as soon as children stop riding the wheeled toys or using the equipment. Approved helmets should meet the standards of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)23 and should pass the three-point.
Three Point Check for Proper Helmet Fit
Three Point Check for Proper Helmet Fit
1. Helmet is level on the head, 1 to 2 finger-widths about eyebrows.
2. Straps are even and create a “Y” under each ear with straps laying flat against the head.
3. Chinstrap is buckled loose enough to fit one finger between the buckle and chin, but tight enough the opening the mouth should pull the helmet downward.
“Helmets provide the best protection against head and brain injury, whether [the] child is riding a bike, scooter or skateboard, or using skates. However, a helmet will only protect when it fits well.”
Keeping Children Safe by Monitoring Early care and education programs need to develop a routine inspection process to identify and prevent hazards. Outdoor play spaces are subject to a lot of wear and tear from use, sometimes misuse, from weather conditions. So, even if a program has correctly installed safe and age and developmentally-appropriate equipment, it still requires regular inspections and maintenance. The outdoor space, including the playground, should be inspected using checklists such as the ones in Appendix E. It should be inspected upon initial installment.