School Helmet Policies

Fostering Student Success

by

Preventing Brain Injury

Policy Makes A DifferencePercent Helmet Use

33

7966

100

No SchoolPolicy

SchoolPolicy

No SchoolPolicy

SchoolPolicy

Before Intervention After Intervention

Oroville, Butte County, CA Observations conducted Feb/May 1999 and Nov/May 2001

Why The Need For Helmets?

Even moderate brain injury

Can result in problems with

comprehension

memory

speed of thinking

behavior

Developmental Foundation

Children should receive

consistent messages at

home, in school, and from

the community.

Community Norm Change

Helmet policies are one component

of a comprehensive effort to prevent

injury, disability and death…think

what we have done about drunk

driving or second hand smoke.

Components of a School Helmet Policy

Policy Statement adopted

by governing board

Letter to Parents

Bicycle Safety Agreement

What Can Schools Do to Increase Bicycle Safety?

Encourage Increased Helmet Use

Implement Bicycle Safety Education

Implement Broader Traffic Education

What Can Schools Do to Increase Bicycle Safety? (cont’d)

Create a Bike-friendly School Environment– Security– Traffic patterns– Safe Routes to School

Support well-maintained bicycles and helmets– Education– Bike Rodeos

Bicycle Helmet Standards

Consumer Product Safety Commission

(CPSC)

March 10, 1999

Minimum standards for safety

– impact

– strap

Consumer’s Role

Look for stickers inside helmet

Learn to fit helmet correctly

Wear helmet correctly

Inspect helmet for damage on

a regular basis

Bike safely

Scooters, Skates and Skateboards

Popularity of extreme sports

Wearing the “gear” is becoming cool

Expansion of bicycle helmet law

effective January 1, 2003

Motorized vs. non-motorized scooters

Scooters, Skates and Skateboards (cont’d)

Until CPSC establishes a standard, engineering and medical experts recommend that a helmet meeting the ASTM F1492 standard for "extreme" sports be worn

It does not have to “look” like a bicycle helmet

Appendices

California Bicycle Helmet Law

Mild Head Trauma Fact Sheet

California School Board

Association Sample Policy

Sample Letter To Parents

Introducing Policy

Appendices

Bicycle Safety Agreement

Tips For Parents About

Bicycle Helmets

Safe Routes to School

Resources