Want to avoid headaches? Try to maintain your safety helmet well. That way, it will protect you for a longer time.

We often get questions about how to conserve your helmet, what the life expectancy is and which parts are replaceable. Mostly, life expectancy of your safety helmet depends on the raw material and external conditions.

We are giving you answers to the 7 most common questions about the usage and maintenance of your safety helmet.

What is the best way to store my safety helmet?

Every safety helmet is different and each material has its own defects. Manufacturer are obligated to provide information about storage and lifecycle in their user instruction guides. We recommend to consult them! In general duroplasts have better form-retaining properties at high temperatures than thermoplastics.

Here’s a snippet from a Centurion Concept Standard safety helmet user manual.

Of course, there some best practices for maximal lifespan:

• Keep your safety helmet out of sunlight or any other UV light sources (also inside).
• Don’t expose your safety helmet to extreme temperatures (low and high).
• Try to store your safety helmet away from dangerous chemicals.
• Do you know the raw material of your safety helmet? Use this chart to check all the specifications of your safety helmet.

When should I replace my safety helmet?

The information you’ll find in the user instructions are trustable advice of the manufacturer. Always follow these instructions.

Here are some rules of thumb…

• Lifespan of your safety helmet is based upon the used materials. Lifespan always starts when the helmet has been manufactured and not when you purchase it.
• Have you dropped your safety helmet or has it glided off your head? Chances are that it will not offer same protection as before.
• Does your helmet look washed-out? It has probably been in the sun for too long. Therefore it is too old to offer sufficient protection.
• If your helmet is hard and granular, it is time for replacement. The brittle material is not strong enough anymore to take impact.

Deep scratches, tears and bursts are a sign to use a new safety helmet.

My safety helmet is dirty or soiled. How can I clean it?

You clean your safety helmet with lukewarm soapy water and soft cloth. If your helmet remains filthy, replace it. We don’t recommend using dissolvent for cleaning, because your safety helmet is not made for chemicals.

Is it safe to mark my safety helmet?

Your helmet is made from raw materials, which are sensitive to chemicals. Highlighters or sticker glue affect your safety helmet causing it to lose protection. The best way to brand your helmet is to let the manufacturer do it.

Does my safety helmet fit correctly?

Every safety helmet has a ‘system’ to adjust the headband – called suspension. You adjust the suspension, either by wheel or slip ratchet. Try to keep it tight. Not too tight, not too relaxed.

The headband should be about 1 to 2 centimeters above your eyebrow. This way, you still have space to wear safety glasses or goggles.

Which parts can I replace?

Is your safety helmet still undamaged, but is the suspension dirty or worn out? Don’t worry, suspensions are replaceable. Make sure it fits your helmet. Look at the total number of points. Most safety helmets have 4, 6 or 8 suspension points. The higher, the better it distributes power and impact on the helmet’s shell.

Sweatbands ravel out pretty fast aswell. Replace it often with a new one. Either a textile or synthetic one. The last one is more appropriate for hygienic environments. (food industry or pharma).

Chinstraps make sure your helmet is fixed firmly on your head. This part, however, is only required for helmets against higher impact (in line with EN 14052).

Does a safety helmet protect me against bicycle falls?

Bicycle helmets, motorcycle helmets and industry safety helmets are tested in a whole different way and the risks are unlike.

An industry safety helmet will fall off your head (without chinstrap) almost immediately when falling off your bicycle. Besides, it protects against falling objects and not pavements.