Okay, I would feel really bad if I didn't post. It is never wise to purchase at a garage sale... I know budget board and all. Many towns have programs that sell the helmets very inexpensively or will actually give you one for free. The foam inserts are included with the helmet for a very specific reason, FIT.
Here's some information if you want to read it:
There are several types of bicycle helmet, some of which are designed for specific purposes like racing or mountain bike riding. However, a basic helmet is sufficient for most riders: for specialized advice about helmets, contact the staff at your local bicycling shop. Most staff will have had experience with multiple types of helmet, and can recommend the best helmet for your needs. In either instance, purchase a helmet that has been certified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which has safety standards for helmets that ensure they will stand up in most crashes.
A bicycle helmet is designed to protect the head in the instance of a crash, usually with polystyrene foam. A plastic outer shell helps to keep the protective foam together in the event of a collision, while softer foam pads are mounted inside for comfort. If you are thrown from a bicycle or hit by a car, the bicycle helmet can help to prevent brain damage. If you are involved in a collision, you should replace your helmet immediately, as the protective foam will be weakened and less effective in a crash. Look for an evenly textured helmet with no protrusions to get caught in a crash, as you could suffer from whiplash. In addition, try to find a helmet which is well ventilated, but not excessively so: ventilations are weak points in the helmet, which translate to weak points on your delicate skull.
When purchasing a standard bicycle helmet, the most important consideration is fit. You want the helmet to fit snugly and evenly, but not to be tight. Try on the helmet in the bicycle shop, and be prepared to adjust the straps so that they fit flush and snug along your head and chin, and use the provided padded inserts to further adjust the fit of the helmet for safety. A bicycle helmet should sit approximately two inches (five centimeters) above your eyebrows, and should be level on your head. There should be no areas of tightness or pressure, and if you open your jaw wide, you should pull the bicycle helmet downwards: adjust the straps if this is not the case.
(This is the most recent statistics I could find on short notice)
Bicycle injuries and deaths affect children and young people more often than any other age group.
In 2005, 44 percent of nonfatal bicycle injuries occurred in children and youth age 5 to 20.
In 2005, the rate per million of nonfatal bicycle injuries in children and youth age 5 to 20 was 462.17 compared to 153.3 overall.
In 2005, children and youth age 0 to 20 made up 23.4 percent of bicycle fatalities.
In 2005, the rate per million of bicycle fatalities in children and youth age 5 to 20 was 4.37 compared to 2.64 overall.
In 2005, children under 15 accounted for 53 percent of bicycle injuries treated in emergency deparments.
From 1999 to 2002, the average annual cost of bicycle fatalities in children and youth age 0 to 19 was $1.03 billion.
From 1999 to 2002, the average annual cost of nonfatal bicycle injuries in children and youth age 0 to 19 was $3.6 billion.
Young cyclists are more likely than adult cyclists to die of head injuries, most of which are caused by motor vehicle collisions. Among children and youth age 0 to 19 in 2000:
Head injuries accounted for 62.6 percent of bicycle fatalities.
Collisions with motor vehicles accounted for 75.7 percent of bicycle fatalities.
61.7 percent of motor vehicle collision deaths were due to head injury.
As a parent, I would consider purchasing your child a new helmet. There is NO way you can tell if the one you bought has any trauma damage...
