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Show . .... .... page 1 2' THI t If r i - - t'20or four OfCanyonlandsr t A supplement to T he TJmes-inJepcndc- rit HEADY flUFFi HOW TOFIHD A HELMET THAT FITf When you straddle your bicycle this spring, it is important to also strap on a helmet. Bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent, and the risk of brain injury by 84 percent. In spite of this, the majority of riders are still not wearing helmets or are not wearing them properly. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently set new federal safety standards so that those wearing bicycle helmets are better protected. As of February 1999, all bicycle helmets manufactured or imported for sale in the United States are required to meet uniform, mandatory safety standards. Helmets meeting the requirements carry a CPSC sticker. The following tips can help you select a bicycle helmet to increase your comfort and safety while riding. Find a helmet that fits your head properly. A good fit means the helmet is level on your head and is not tilted in any direction. It should touch all around your head and not obstruct your field of vision. It should be comfortably snug, but not tight. The helmet should be as low as possible on the head to maximize side coverage. Try to select a helmet comfortable enough that you almost forget you are wearing it. Look for a helmet with a stiff outer shell made of rounded, smooth plastic. This is designed to distribute impact forces and protect against sharp objects. The shell enables the helmet to skid easily on rough pavement which helps prevent the riders neck from being damaged. A white or brightly colored shell is a good choice since it is more visible to motorists and other cyclists. Find a helmet with a layer of stiff foam to cushion a blow and reduce the peak energy of sharp impact. Most bicycle helmets use ex- - panded polystyrene (EPS). However, it is important to know that EPS does not recover once it is crushed. Although the foam dam- Be aware of vents, visors and mirrors. Vents provide cooling, but too many mean less foam is in contact with your head. In a crash, this age may not be visible, the helmet will no longer vide pro- IF A HUM FT PROPERLY PROTECT? THE HEAD DURING A CRASH, A PERSON WILL NOT USUALLY KNOW THEIR HEAD WAS HIT. ad- equate AFTER AN ACCIDENT, BE SURE TO CHECK THE SHEU FOR SCRAPES OR MEASURE FOR pro- tection. If a helmet FOAM CRUSH. IF THERE IS DAMAGE, THE HELMET SHOULD BE REPLACED. properly protects the head a during crash, a person will not usually could concentrate force on one know their head was hit. After an point of your skull. accident, be sure to check the shell for scrapes or measure for foam crush. If there is damage, the hel- Visors on helmets can snag or shatter in a fall. If a visor snags while you are skidding on the pavement, it may jerk your head manufacturers will replace crashed and cause injury. If you select a helmets for a fee andor inspect a helmet with a visor, choose one met should be replaced. Many helmet to see if it should be re- that will break away in the event of a crash. Mirrors are a necessity, placed. Select a helmet with a chin but they also need a breakaway strap that fits properly. It should be mount. Ponytail ports can improve snug against the chin, with the V fit for those with long hair. on the side straps meeting with no Choose a helmet with at least one slack just below the ear. The fasset of inside fitting pads. Foam fittener should be strong so it does ting pads help keep the helmet cornot jiggle open. The length of the rectly positioned. Adjust the side fitstrap should be adjusted so it is ting pads by using thinner or thicker comfortably snug. If you can slide pads where there is space. The helmore than two fingers through the met should fit with pads touching all strap, it is too loose. If the strap the way around without making it cuts into your chin, it is too tight. tight or uncomfortable. For cooling When you have the straps ad- purposes, you may want to leave a justed, shake your head, then put few gaps in the fitting pads. the palm of your hand under the Be sure children remove bike front edge and try to move the helhelmets before climbing trees or met. Your helmet should not move playing on playground equipment more than about an inch in any di- This will prevent the risk of catchrection and must not pull off. Hel- ing the helmet on playground equipmets with too much slack may fall ment or a tree branch, a potential from the head during impact cause of strangulation. -- T1 vdii vi.1 :!!!'. ;miiIv imi Yeti Cycles IS -- ' I . Hjitv'. ;t;r. 2002 MoafriiiKiiillSili:Ilf liiiv 1, ' '!!' " - The Best Java Stop by for breakfast . . . or lunch! ... 4 f 3 i!C Y(T cpcf aWW) Dn 4ndo c Jk Try our NEW 4 4,1 Town? StrawberryBanana mob IT Blah Belgian Waffles! Fresh pastries daily Everyday 6:30 am - 6 pm Internet Access 59 S. Main St www.maidocafe.Km 1 259-555- McStifTs Plaza 6 |