How to Identify a Safe Helmet

Helmet is one of the most important safety features when riding a motorbike. It helps to protect your head from injuries during accidents. Choosing a safe helmet is the first step to riding a bike responsibly. There are many Chinese helmets available in Bangladesh, including branded and non-branded ones, from which it confusing to consider the right helmet. Moreover, proper and safe helmets price tend to be a bit expensive. Therefore, let's learn more about how to identify safe and quality helmets.

Ways to identify a safe helmet

1. Trusted Brand Helmet

There are many brands of helmets available in Bangladesh, but not all of them are safe. Therefore, it is safest to choose brands that are trusted and famous, such as Vega, Studs, LS2, Exor, Yohe, and Gliders etc. These brands usually manufacture helmets to international standards.

2. Certification Verification

The most important thing when buying a safe helmet is to verify its certification. When buying a helmet, you should carefully check whether the helmet is DOT (Department of Transportation) or ECE (Economic Commission for Europe) certified. These certifications ensure that the helmet meets international safety standards.

3. Correct Size and Fit

When buying a safe helmet, you need to check whether the size is correct. If the helmet is too loose, it will not be able to protect your head. On the other hand, if it is too tight, it may cause discomfort during long-term use. So, consider a helmet with the right fit according to your head size.

4. Quality of the Inner Foam

A safe helmet should have good-quality foam inside, which will help absorb the impact during an accident. The inner foam of the helmet is usually made of high-quality EPS (Expanded Polystyrene). This not only protects the head but also increases the durability of the helmet.

5. Ventilation System

To ensure comfortable use of the helmet in hot weather, it is necessary to check whether there is a good ventilation system inside the helmet. This type of system helps to keep the head cool and does not allow sweat to accumulate, which does not cause discomfort if the helmet is worn on the head for a long time.

6. Shell and Design

The outer shell of the helmet must be strong and sturdy. If the shell material is made of polycarbonate or FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic), then the shell will be safe. These shells help to protect the head by absorbing energy during impact.

7. Lifespan of the Helmet

Even if the helmet never meets with an accident, it still needs to be replaced. Over time, the resin, glue, and inner foam (EPS liner) inside the helmet deteriorate due to exposure to sweat, hair oils, cleaning products, and even the general environment. Most manufacturers recommend replacing helmets every 3 to 5 years from the date of first use, or about 7 years from the date of manufacture, which is written on a sticker inside the helmet. After this time, the helmet may not provide the desired level of protection in an accident.

8. One Accident, one Helmet

A helmet is designed to protect you from one impact. During an accident, the inner foam liner collapses to absorb the force of the impact, protecting your head. This damage is often not visible from the outside; the outer shell may look perfectly fine. However, once that foam has compressed, it is no longer able to effectively absorb another impact. So your helmet must be replaced after any accident or injury, even if you fall hard to the ground.

9. The dangers of Second-hand Helmet

Never buy a used helmet. This is because these types of helmets may have been in an accident, been dropped, or have long since passed their replacement date. Therefore, an old or previously damaged helmet can be a serious safety hazard.

By considering the above factors, you can buy a safe and quality helmet for yourself. Don't worry about saving money when purchasing a helmet, because it is an effective tool for your life safety.