Law Offices Of Stephen A. Justino, P.C.

To My Clients, Family and Friends:

NO HELMET – NO SKIING                                                   December, 2007

Now that winter is here, and ski season is upon us, I wanted to take a moment to pass along a few tips to help keep your kids safe when they hit the slopes.

Did you know that the risk of head injury from skiing or snowboarding is higher for children than it is for any other age group?  These injuries can be devastating.  But when skiers or snowboarders wear proper helmets, they reduce their risk of head injuries by about half.

Start your children early wearing a ski helmet.  Model the good behavior by wearing a helmet yourself.  Make it a family rule – NO HELMET, NO SKIING.

When buying a helmet for your child proper fit is a must, so if you can, have a sales person help you choose and fit the helmet. 

• Choose a certified helmet made just for snow sports (a bicycle helmet over a ski hat is not good enough).  The three certifications to look for are ASTM F2040, Snell R98 or Cen 1077.
• The back of the helmet should not touch the nape of the neck.
•  The helmet should be snug when the chin strap is fastened, fit above the eyebrows, and not slide backwards and forwards. 
• Ensure that goggles fit well on your child’s face when wearing the helmet.

Preparing to be safe can make snow sports a fun, safe, life-long activity for you and your family.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday!

Steve