I have been trying to find documented cases of neck injuries of children from trying on fire helmets during PR details.  I see many times where members of my department and other departments allow kids to put on their fire helmets.  From a liability standpoint this practice concerns me, but I have not been able to prove this practice can cause injuries.  Any help would be appreciated.

 

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We actually do a lot of station tours and I always let the kids try on my helmet and coat if they want to...they could trip on the sidwalk approaching the station too so does that mean we should stop all tours? No action, however mundane, is without some risk.
I think wearing my helmet is part of the appeal.
I gave a helmet to my 3 year old nephew severl years ago... he never broke his neck... wierd, he is 12 now. My 3 year old wears a helmet around all the time.. he hasn't broke his neck either... I think someone made this crap up.
It's obvious. the girl in the front didn't get a helmet!
I too have heard of this happening, but don't recall seeing in hard facts or reports to support it though.

I'm more concerned with the asbestos, chemicals and other residues left on our gear and equipment post incident that we may be exposing kids to....
I have always heard that it hurt the neck of a child in Arizona ( I think maybe even Phoenix) but cannot remember for sure.
Not to mention viruses and boogers from the kid....
Well if a child...Any child comes up to me at the fire hall or if I am doing something with the schools and they want to try on my gear...No Problem...
I did a class with a group of 3rd graders in my younger sisters class...I let the children try on my gear...And the teacher compleatly packed up..She did the moon walk up the hall...Lol






If the helmet is that heavy, shouldn't you be more worried about the cumulative negative effect of having it on your head everyday? If the first thought we have when it comes to interaction with the public is whether we're incurring some sort of liability risk, then maybe we all just need to stay home? Americans are sue happy today and it's just a fact of life. Should we forego allowing the kids to be kids? I couldn't help but notice how a lot of you are more then willing to have a "good looking" teacher try on your gear. Could that be referenced as sexual harassment? Better watch out.........
"Americans are sue happy today and it's just a fact of life."

It could also read; Americans are workman's comp happy, or Americans are unemployment insurance benefits happy.

There are about 330 million people in this country. With a hundred TV channels to choose from and ready access to the internet, it really wouldn't be a surprise if the number of lawsuits (frivolous or otherwise) was on the rise. It's about exposure and awareness and most likely a result of people looking for recourse against a real or perceived wrong.

Yet, this site http://nwbullseye.blogspot.com/2009/02/our-sue-happy-society-myth-v... has this to say about sue happy Americans;
"Truth is, the number of lawsuits and median jury verdicts in this country is steadily declining every year. A recent study by the U.S. Justice Department revealed that in the country's 75 most populous counties, the number of civil trials decreased by 52% from 1992-2005. Injury or "tort" cases declined by 40%. And the median jury trial verdict was $43,000, a 40% decrease from 1992's median average of $72,000."
http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=669

Big law suits garner big attention. One lady spills hot coffee and badly burns her crotch and she is awarded a million dollars; it makes the news.

As for the "cumulative" effect of wearing a helmet every day, what makes you think it's a negative one. If you wear it every day the cumulative effect may be...a stronger neck.

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