Bikes, Skateboards and Helmets

[runnerbrit]

I require my boys to wear a helmet when riding their bikes or skateboards. Many of their friend's parents do not have the same requirment. Should I tell them that when they are at my house they must wear a helmet when riding a bike or a skateboard? The boys range in age from 7-12. They play at our house a few afternoons a week and are really nice kids.

What would you do and why?

[ArielMomma]

I would ask their parents if they are permitted to ride without a helmet. My decision would be based on that.

My kids are older now and don't ride bikes much anymore. However last year there was a very graphic story in the newspaper about a local triathlete who was riding his bike right before a big race. A lady in an SUV slammed into him at around 55mph!!! The news paper said the helmet he wore saved his life even though it 'disintegrated' where impact occurred.

He lived and in fact I have met him and he looks very well these days.

Anyhow... I don't think it is my job to police other people's kids. If their parents want me to enforce helmet usage I will. If their parents don't care then my kids are my only responsibility.

[TiredX2]

Interesting. DS is only 7 now (DD is 10) and in the past I have said when his friends are over they must use helmets (DD's friends too, but this has only ever been an issue with DS' friends). I am not sure what I will do as they get older. So far, it has always been the child playing at our house when I insist on this--- I am responsible for them.

[Evan&Anna's_Mom]

Since it would be my insurance on the line if they got hurt on my property, I insist on helmets for everyone involved while they are here. If they are meeting someplace "neutral" (e.g. the school playground) then I insist my child wear his but don't care about the others. Well, I care and worry but don't feel like its my place to insist.

[CarrieMF]

what are the laws? Here anyone under the age of 16 MUST wear a helment when riding a bike, if they aren't the parents are fined. Not sure if that would follow through to you if they're on your property or if that would go to their parents. Ages 16-18 they are still required by law, except it is the teen who is fined.

I do not know if it goes for skateboards or not.

[Ruthla]

I would enforce a "at my house, when I'm in charge, you need to wear your helmet or not ride" policy.

[boobybunny]

We live on a small, dead end, private street. When the neighbor hood kids who do not live on our street use our street for skating, biking or just play... The HOA makes them wear a helmet. All the kids that live on our street just wear helmets anyway. We made it an HOA requirement when one of the neighbor kids (age 6)fell off his skateboard going down someone's driveway, hit a bump and bonked his head. His mom (who was at her house, around the corner and NOT supervising her child) tried to make the HOA and the property owner pay his medical/ambulance bill. (and guess who is no longer allowed on the street...sad, but his mother brought it upon herself)

When my children (ages 12, 10 and 4) have friends over, they wear helmets. We have extra. It is not a big deal, no one fights me on it.

[runnerbrit]

Thank you for all of your replies! I have decided to purchase extra helmets to keep at our house. I will let the kids know that when they are skateboarding in our driveway, or on our ramps, grind rail, etc. they need to wear one of the helmets.