ATV Helmet Safety | Raceway ATV

For children who ride ATVs, the key to safety is wearing a child ATV helmet. What a child ATV helmet does is to protect against impact by absorbing an impact's energy away from the child's head.

Child ATV helmets should be lightweight to minimize neck fatigue, which in turn minimizes neck injuries. A common ATV injury is to a child's collarbone. This comes from wearing an adult helmet rather than a child ATV helmet. Child ATV helmets are shaped to fit above the shoulders rather than resting on them as with a larger helmet.

Child ATV helmets offer plenty of features. While child ATV helmets come in a wide variety of graphics and colors. Remember that solid bright colored child ATV helmets are easier for other riders to see. Child ATV helmets have adjustable visors, padded chinstraps and air intake vents. The liners of the child ATV helmets are removable and washable as well as being replaceable.

You might be tempted to give your old helmet to your child rather than purchase a child ATV helmet. Keep in mind that all helmets break down with age because of the materials and glues used. Further, helmets are meant to withstand only one impact. Manufacturers generally recommend replacing helmets every five years, much sooner if it has been distressed.

The child ATV helmet should meet the standards set by the Department of Transportation or the stricter, but voluntary, standards set by Snell.

Whether your child is 6 and just beginning to ride ATVs or 15 and has more experience, a child ATV helmet is a necessary and safe purchase.