NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - It's that time of year when kids are getting ready to put on their sports gear. And if you're a parent, your number one job is to keep them safe.

A new helmet safety guide is out today and here at Five Tips we're going to tell you what you need to know when selecting the right helmet.

Your kid may hate wearing that cumbersome helmet, but wearing a bike helmet (while bike riding) can cut your risk of head injury up to 85 percent.

And who finds themselves in the hospital with head injuries most often? It's bicyclists with 151,000 head injuries. Next on the list is skateboarders and finally, horseback riders.

There are different helmets for different activities. Make sure you look for a certified helmet when it comes to sports, especially if it's a high impact sport like baseball or lacrosse. The certification you want to look for in baseball is NOCSAE ND 022, while the certification for lacrosse is NOCAE NDO41.

These certifications are very specific because it means the helmet is able to withstand the kinds of impact from that sport. And be wary of knockoffs. Sometimes helmets are marketed to look like real helmets, but they're really meant just for show.

To figure out which helmet is right for which activity, check out the new safety guide on the Consumer Product Safety Commissions's Web site at CPSC.gov.

Don't rely on the packaging to make sure the helmet has been certified. You'll have to look at the helmet's inside liner to see CPSC certification or other safety regulations.

Keep in mind all bike helmets made after 1999 will have the CPSC stamp of approval. And, of course, don't put your faith in brand names.

The helmet should be completely level on your child's head. You don't want the helmet to fall backward or be pulled too low over the forehead. The helmet should not move in any direction, either back and forth or side to side. The chin strap should be securely buckled. And most importantly, the helmet should feel comfortable.

If you fall off your bike, it's likely you'll have to replace your helmet, even if there are no visible signs of damage. That's because bike helmets are only designed to protect against a single severe impact.

There are helmets that are designed to withstand multiple impacts, like football or ice hockey helmets. But make sure you check the instructions to figure out when to replace the helmet.

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Gerri Willis is a personal finance editor for CNN Business News and the host for Open House. Send your questions, your comments and your own ideas to us at 5tips@cnn.com.