Monday Guest Post: Karyn Climans

Through my work with students with Traumatic Brain Injury or Acquired Brain Injury, I know how important it is for students of all ages to protect themselves from such injuries. I really love Tail Wags helmet covers, and I’ve invited Karyn Climans, the woman behind this amazing product, to be my guest here today.

Helmet Dilemmas!

For years, I tried to come up with innovative ways to encourage my two young boys to wear their ski and bike helmets. I have always tried to be a good role model for my sons by wearing a bike and ski helmet but to be honest; I hated the ugly black thing as much as they did! Bribes and sticker decorations worked occasionally to ease the inevitable helmet meltdowns but the arguments usually started up again each time I asked them to put on their helmet. Since that time (my sons are now 20 & 18 years old), helmet manufacturers have definitely improved their designs. First of all, they come in different shapes and sizes because all heads are shaped differently.

For example, my forehead is long and, therefore, most helmets look as if they’re nests perched on top of the egg (please excuse the pun)! Thankfully, I can now buy a helmet that fits properly so that the front of the helmet lies sufficiently low so as to protect my forehead. Another improvement made by helmet manufacturers is that they come in more interesting patterns so that if your young daughter wants a “Dora The Explorer” or “Barbie” design, she’ll likely find one in a style that properly fits her. Here’s the problem though: What do you do when 6 months after you purchase this helmet, your daughter has had a change of heart and doesn’t like “Dora” or “Barbie” anymore? Are you supposed to run out and buy the latest “Hanna Montana” helmet? OR what happens if it’s time to pass along her outgrown helmet to your younger son?

I don’t know about your son, but there’s no way I would ever have been able to convince one of my boys to wear a pink helmet.

Almost 6 years ago, I established a company, Tail Wags Helmet Covers, www.tail-wags.com, with the goal of making it FUN for kids and adults to wear their safety helmets. There are now over 40 adorable and funky helmet covers that can be worn over bike, skate, ski, snowboard, toboggan and equestrian helmets. Now your child can choose between a Fairy Princess, Gladiator, Kitty, or Spider helmet cover, just to name a few of our designs. Every child is going to WANT to wear their helmet when they’ve got one of these great products.

Another benefit of these covers is they increase the child’s visibility on the hills, roads and skating rinks. Parents can easily identify their child when the Pink Bunny Rabbit’s ears are flopping, the Doggie’s tail is wagging, or the Tiger is roaring with delight.

So next time your child says they won’t be caught dead wearing a pink Barbie helmet, do yourself a favor and let your kid decide which of the fantastic Tail Wags designs they’d like to sport over their helmet!

An additional note: There has been a safety warning raised about stickers applied to helmets. The glue of the stickers undermines the integrity of the helmet’s plastic, thereby, making it less resistant to cracking upon impact. So if your child has plastered stickers all over his/her helmet, it’s time to throw that one out and re-invest in another. While you’re at it, let them choose their favorite Tail Wags helmet cover.

If you’re interested in more safety tips for children, please follow us on facebook, twitter, and my blog site.

Karyn Climans
Tail Wags Helmet Covers, Owner
235 Joicey Boulevard
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5M 2V6
P: 416 482 3625
F: 416 483 8213
info@tail-wags.com
www.tail-wags.com
www.facebook.com/tailwagshelmetcovers
www.twitter.com/karynclimans
www.karynclimans.com

You might also enjoy:

• Monday Guest Post: Tail-Wags