As your kid heads out this summer for a neighborhood bike ride, a trail hike or a weekend skating session, it is important to make sure they stay safe while enjoying their freedom. Helmet use remains one of the best ways to prevent serious head injuries—no matter how confident or experienced your child may be.

To help ease parents’ concerns, Sam Torbati, MD, co-chair of Emergency Medicine at Cedars-Sinai and the Gordon/Levin Chair in Emergency Medicine in honor of Joel Geiderman, MD, shares easy, effective tips to help your kids stay protected while making the most of summer explorations.

“Helmets are not just accessories—they are lifesavers. Proper helmet use is one of the simplest, most effective ways to prevent serious head trauma and save young lives,” Torbati said.

Research consistently shows helmets significantly reduce the risk of serious head injuries. Such injuries are a leading cause of emergency room visits among children. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports bicycle-riding is one of the biggest causes of sport-related head injuries in kids, resulting in approximately 26,000 emergency department visits annually. Emergency departments see firsthand the devastating consequences of not wearing helmets, including preventable skull fractures, concussions and long-term cognitive impairments.

A properly fitted helmet helps absorb impact and protect the brain, especially during forward falls, which happen more often than we realize. The AAP reports helmet use reduces the risk of serious brain injury by 50% in children and adolescents. While it will not prevent every bump or scrape, it can make a significant difference in avoiding more serious injuries.

A helmet that does not fit correctly may fail to protect your child during a fall. Avoid hand-me-down helmets that may have unseen damage or degraded materials.

• The helmet should sit level on the head, covering the forehead and not tilting back.
• The side straps should form a "V" under each of the ears.
• The chin strap should be snug, allowing only one or two fingers to fit beneath it.
• When your child shakes their head, the helmet should remain firmly in place.

Read: Here Are the Back-To-School Vaccinations Your Kids Need

Just as you would not wear flip-flops on a hike, it is important to wear the right helmet for the right activity. Bike helmets, skate helmets and multi-sport helmets are each designed to handle different types of impact forces. Bike helmets are engineered primarily for impacts from falls at higher speeds and often feature ventilation for comfort during rides, while skate helmets provide more coverage around the back of the head and are designed to protect against repeated low-impact hits common in skating and scootering.

“Wearing the wrong helmet can reduce how well it protects against a fall, leaving your child more vulnerable to injury,” Torbati said.

Certification ensures helmets meet safety standards set by organizations such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This means the helmet has passed tests for impact protection and durability, so you can trust it to keep your child safe.

Before your kids head out the door, take a moment to check that they have the right helmet—and that it fits exactly right. It is a small step that goes a long way toward keeping their adventures fun and safe.

Some children are naturally cautious. Others are curious and may seek out risk without fully understanding the potential consequences. Regardless of temperament, one rule should apply to all: no helmet, no ride.

"In the ER, I can stitch a wound or set a bone, but I can't undo a brain injury,” Torbati said. “A helmet is the difference between a bad day and a life that has changed forever.”