Safety Saturday

Helmets are the only thing that is between your skull and the ground if you fall off. Investing in a well fitting helmet is the best thing you can ever do. Without it you are putting yourself at potential life threatening risk. Accidents can happen when you least expect them and even the very best of riders can get unstuck in unexpected situations. There are some points that you need to know about helmets to ensure that you are safe at all times. > Helmets should be less than 5 years old. And that isn’t from the date you purchased the helmet, that is from the date that they were manufactured. There will be a type of label somewhere on the inside of your helmet that will have the date of manufacture on it. After 5 years it is said that the materials are not durable enough to fully withstand a major impact and be completely functioning in it’s ability to protect you. Another good thing to remember is that insurance companies will not cover you if your helmet is older than 5 years. > Helmets must meet the correct standards. Helmets that are sold in stores should all meet the current Australian standards, however it is always a good idea to double check that they are. > Never ever ever purchase a second hand helmet! You do not know the history on it and if it has had a falls and has been dropped. These can lead to micro-fractures in the structure which will not allow the helmet to be protective of your head if you have a fall. > Helmets designed for horse riding will fit differently to other types of helmets. The front of the helmet should sit half way between your eyebrows and your hairline. It should be a snug fit and not move. It should also have the chin strap done up so that it cannot go over the chin. I have had a few falls when I was still riding as a jockey that without my helmet I would be here today. And I never at the time thought that those falls would happen, but luckily I had my helmet on so that I can still be here today to ensure that I can pass on this message and protect someone else’s life.