The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers the following tips on how to correctly wear a bike helmet:

• Wear the helmet flat atop your head, not tilted back at an angle.
• Make sure the helmet fits snugly and does not obstruct your field of vision.
• Make sure the chin strap fits securely and that the buckle stays fastened.

For examples of proper and improper wear, see the following diagrams:

In order to get your children to wear a helmet, consider the following tips:

• Wear a helmet yourself.  Kids learn best by observing you. Whenever you ride your bike, put on your helmet. Plan bicycle outings during which all family members wear their helmets to further reinforce the message. The most important factor influencing children to wear helmets is riding with an adult who wears one.
• Talk to your kids about why you want them to protect their head.  There are many things you can tell your children to convince them of the importance of helmet use: 1) Bikes are vehicles, not toys. 2) You love and value your children. 3) They can hurt their heads permanently or even die from head injuries.
• Reward your kids for wearing helmets.  Praise them; give them special treats or privileges when they wear their helmets without having to be told to.
• Don't let children ride their bikes unless they wear their helmets.  Be consistent. If you allow your children to ride occasionally without their helmets, they won't believe that helmet use really is important. Tell your kids they have to find another way to play, or must walk or take a bus to get somewhere, if they don't want to use their helmets.
• Encourage your children's friends to wear helmets.  Peer pressure can be used in a positive way if several families in the neighborhood start making helmet use a regular habit at the same time.