The most important piece of protective gear is of course the Helmet! To protect your head from injury, always wear a properly fitting helmet. This is true no matter what your age, level of experience or location where you are skateboarding. It should meet or exceed safety standards of the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or Snell Memorial Foundation. Try not to order it online because most brands fit differently. You may need to try on several sizes and models to find a helmet that fits your head correctly and securely. A properly fitting helmet:
- Is worn flat on your head with the bottom edge parallel to the ground
- Sits low on your forehead but does not interfere with your movement, vision or hearing
- Has side straps that form a “V” shape around each ear
- Has a buckle that fastens tightly (there should be room to put only two fingers between the strap and your chin)
- Has pads inside that you install or remove so the helmet fits snuggly
- Does not move in any direction when you shake your head in any direction
Replace your helmet when it is damaged, outgrown or at least every five years. You may need to replace it sooner if the manufacturer recommends it. We recommend PRO-TEC Helmets!
SKATERMOM.COM 
March 14, 2011
Q & A