How to Make Sure Your Bicycle Helmet Fits

Helmets come in all kinds of different sizes and you need to fit them, just like hats. Hat sizes can be different depending on the manufacturer. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI) has the most complete list of helmet sizes according to the manufacturers.

To fit a helmet you need to measure your head to find out your approximate size. Make sure you try the helmet on to make sure it fits snugly. When it is sitting on top of your head make sure it does not rock from side to side. There are sizing pads inside new models; you can use them to make sure the helmet is tucked securely on your head. Some helmets also have something called a universal sizing ring inside that can help fit the helmet on the head.

Make sure the helmet sits level on your head and low on the forehead which means that it is sitting one or two finger widths above your eyebrows.

You can center the left buckle under the chin by pulling it from the back of the helmet to lengthen or shorten the chin straps. You can do this most precisely when the helmet is off the head. There are sliders on both straps; make sure you tighten them so the fit is quite snug. A good fit is attained when you can fit no more than one or two fingers under the strap.

To find out if the helmet is fitting right give a big yawn. While you are doing this the helmet should pull down on the head. If it is not then you have to go back and tighten the chin strap even more.

If your helmet rocks back and forth on the top of your head then you might want to shorten the front strap by moving the slider forward. To prevent the buckle on the band from slipping be sure to roll it as close as you can to the band.

Helmets can be damaged if you drop them. Be sure to replace any helmet that has been damaged.

If you are buying for a kid do not buy a helmet that will be “grown into.” The helmet must fit like it is.

The helmet should fit now. Buy a helmet that fits your head now, not a helmet to “grow into.” Replace any helmet that has been outgrown immediately so your child or you are never riding without one.
Remember … a helmet will only be of use to you if it actually fits your head.

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Things You Need to Know About Video Games

If your kid is playing a lot of video games you might be wondering if there is any harm to him or her being on the game console too much. Child psychologists and video game experts do have a great deal of advice about how to use games in an educational way and avoid the pitfalls associated with playing the game.

First of all you need never buy a game that is too violent. All of these games have ratings and the consoles often come with parental controls. The industry is controlled by the ESRB that stands for the Entertainment Software Rating Board. The ratings include EC (Early Childhood) to AO (Adult Only.) You can find a resources page online about the ESRB that can help you really understand the ratings well. This site also gives reviews of games for parents.

The information that is provided by the ESRB also provides a description of the content. For instance a game can have a warning on it that says 'Drug Reference' or 'Blood and Gore.' This can help prevent you from exposing your child to bad language or violent behavior.

When buying a game the most important thing to consider is how it will affect your child's ability to perform in school, attitude and time to do other things. To determine this you can play the game with the child to see how he or she reacts to the images and language.

As it is so easy to buy a game that your child is too immature to handle it is also suggested that you rent the movie first. That way you are not investing in an expensive game that your kid cannot even play.

You are also advised to keep this type of technology out of the kid's bathroom. This is because it is distracting and can keep a kid from sleeping. It is also easier for a kid to get up in the middle of the night, find a mature-rated game and play it. You do not want these games to interfere with your child's sleep in any way as it can affect health and performance in school.

One thing to keep in mind is that overuse of the technology can also lead to problems with attention deficit. Research from the August 2010 Issue of the Journal of Pediatrics found that playing too many video games can lead to attention problems in school. It can also lead to a fat, unhealthy child because a video game can be so addictive that he or she does not go outside anymore.

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