A bike helmet is designed to absorb impact – but also needs to be lightweight, to be practical – so it can be vulnerable. Consumer Reports says you should handle a bike helmet with care, if you want it to take care of you when you need it most.
Testers at Consumer Reports say caring for your helmet starts with where you store it. Find a shelf in your house or garage, where it's cool and dry. Never keep it in the car. The interior of your car can get really hot, especially in the summer, and the heat could degrade the foam or compromise the integrity of the helmet or structure.
Clean it with good old, soap and water. Harsh chemicals like ammonia and bleach may damage the foam and the shell.
Be aware of any dents – even small ones mean the helmet has already absorbed some energy – making it less effective if you crash.
And, definitely replace a helmet after any crash, whether it appears cracked or not. A bicycle helmet is designed to take one impact. That's it – one.
Consumer Reports says you should also consider replacing a helmet that is more than five years old, even if it appears undamaged and has never been in a crash. Some manufacturers even recommend replacing your helmet earlier than that.
And think twice before mounting a camera or anything else on the helmet. It not only could damage the helmet, but it could also pose a risk if you crash.
