Skiing with your kids is a wonderful holiday experience but it does come with risk. One hot topic of discussion is the use of ski helmets and their importance. Yet every year, many children are seen on the slopes not wearing one. Are ski helmets really necessary? It's only the bunny hill right? We have done the research and the answer might surprise you. Using these 3 easy criteria will help you make the right decision.
Your child should wear a ski helmet if:
If your child fits this criteria, then helmets are a must when skiing or sledding.
Children can generate high speeds with little control. They have less developed motor control and lack the decision making skills necessary to stay safe. This would include judging distances, speed, and when to start braking. Trees, icy surfaces, rocks, and buildings are not forgiving. Also be aware that your child is at risk of collision with another skier that is much bigger, heavier, and faster. Wearing helmets can reduce head injuries by 30 to 50 percent, and may be the difference between life and death.
Wearing a helmet while sledding is just as important when skiing. Sledding is an overlooked safety hazard. According to WebMD, there are thousands of sledding related accidents every year. Head trauma accounts for 34% of injuries from sledding. A third of all injuries occurred on private property. Nearly half of injuries involved children aged 10 to 14.
A proper fitting ski helmet is critical. Investing in a new helmet every year for your child is well worth it. But if you think this is too expensive, some ski areas offer rental helmets at a low cost. This is a great option to protect those growing brains. In fact many ski resorts promote helmet programs for kids, like Lids On Kids.
If you know other families that ski, consider organizing a trading group for gear. This can greatly lower the cost of buying new winter clothing and helmets for your children each season.
And, no. A bicycle helmet is not an adequate replacement for a snow safety helmet.
Your child should wear a ski helmet if:
- They have a brain that is made of soft tissue, blood vessels, and a beautiful network of complex neurons that can never be repaired once damaged
- If they are going to be skiing or sledding at speeds greater than 2 mph
- If they live on planet Earth where interaction with gravity is a significant and unavoidable force that acts on your child
If your child fits this criteria, then helmets are a must when skiing or sledding.
Children can generate high speeds with little control. They have less developed motor control and lack the decision making skills necessary to stay safe. This would include judging distances, speed, and when to start braking. Trees, icy surfaces, rocks, and buildings are not forgiving. Also be aware that your child is at risk of collision with another skier that is much bigger, heavier, and faster. Wearing helmets can reduce head injuries by 30 to 50 percent, and may be the difference between life and death.
Wearing a helmet while sledding is just as important when skiing. Sledding is an overlooked safety hazard. According to WebMD, there are thousands of sledding related accidents every year. Head trauma accounts for 34% of injuries from sledding. A third of all injuries occurred on private property. Nearly half of injuries involved children aged 10 to 14.
A proper fitting ski helmet is critical. Investing in a new helmet every year for your child is well worth it. But if you think this is too expensive, some ski areas offer rental helmets at a low cost. This is a great option to protect those growing brains. In fact many ski resorts promote helmet programs for kids, like Lids On Kids.
If you know other families that ski, consider organizing a trading group for gear. This can greatly lower the cost of buying new winter clothing and helmets for your children each season.
And, no. A bicycle helmet is not an adequate replacement for a snow safety helmet.
Want to know more about staying safe while adventuring outside? Learn how here!
Finding the right information about children ski helmets, how to fit them, and so forth can be a bit overwhelming. As mentioned earlier, Lids On Kids is a fantastic and in depth resource.
Here are a few more resources to look into that further support the use of helmets for children while skiing or sledding. But honestly, grown ups should heed similar advice. Parents, set a good example, protect your brain too!
http://www.lidsonkids.org/
https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/2014/01/winter-sports-injuries-facts-and-figures/
http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20100823/sledding-accidents-land-thousands-of-kids-in-er
https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/Sledding-Injuries-A-Significant-Cause-of-Hospitalizations,-Injuries-During-Winter-Months.aspx
http://lidsonkids.org/?page_id=104
http://www.pennlive.com/bodyandmind/index.ssf/2013/11/5_tips_to_keep_kids_safe_and_w.html
http://www.lidsonkids.org/
https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/2014/01/winter-sports-injuries-facts-and-figures/
http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20100823/sledding-accidents-land-thousands-of-kids-in-er
https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/Sledding-Injuries-A-Significant-Cause-of-Hospitalizations,-Injuries-During-Winter-Months.aspx
http://lidsonkids.org/?page_id=104
http://www.pennlive.com/bodyandmind/index.ssf/2013/11/5_tips_to_keep_kids_safe_and_w.html
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