Gear up properly for winter activities
With the 2006 Winter Olympics coming in February, kids will watch the world’s best athletes compete on the slopes and the ice. These thrilling events offer parents the opportunity to remind kids of the importance of proper safety equipment, training and supervision.
Nationwide, more than a quarter of a million children are injured each year while participating in winter sports. In the Northwest, many kids ski, snowboard and sled. A few simple precautions such as dressing appropriately, taking lessons if available, being properly supervised and sticking to safe terrain can make all the difference.
Simple precautions apply to all winter sports. Be prepared and remember Mother Nature has a mind of her own. Kids should dress warmly and always wear a hat to prevent heat loss. Be sure to wear sun protection even on cloudy days because the sun reflects off of the snow and can cause significant sunburns. Sunglasses or goggles also are required equipment for eye protection.
Make sure your child has proper identification in a secure pocket. If you are on a winter vacation, include the name and phone number of your hotel. A child easily can become separated from a parent, so have a planned meeting place such as the bottom of a particular chairlift. Some families use walkie talkies to communicate on the slopes.
Skiing and snowboarding
The National Ski Areas Association has established a program for slope safety by promoting “Your Responsibility Code” with seven slope safety rules for kids and adults:
• Always stay in control.
• People ahead of you have the right of way.
• Stop in a safe place for you and others.
• Whenever starting down hill or merging, look up and yield.
• Use devices to prevent runaway equipment.
• Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails.
• Know how to use the lifts.
Helmet use
Protective head gear is a must for skiing and snowboarding.
If parents expect their children to ski, ride responsibly and wear helmets, they should do so as well. An adult who wears a helmet will encourage children to follow suit.
Kids might need to be reminded that wearing a helmet doesn’t give them permission to ski or snowboard faster or recklessly.
There is no doubt that a correctly used helmet can prevent or reduce the severity of head injuries suffered during ski and snowboard accidents. Even if kids ski safely themselves, it is important for them to know that many accidents are caused by other out-of-control skiers. Head injuries represent about 22 percent of all skiing and snowboarding injuries and death. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, ski and snowboard helmets can prevent or reduce the effects of 53 percent of head injuries suffered by children younger than 15.
Ski and snowboard helmets are specifically designed for the sport and offer special features such as added warmth and an integrated fit with goggles. Bike helmets are never an appropriate substitute because they are designed with different impact characteristics and areas of protection.
Buy a helmet that meets or exceeds industry standards. Be sure to look carefully at the helmet to confirm it either has met ASTM or Snell safety testing standards. The helmet should be correctly fitted by a trained person. A ski helmet is not something to grow into. Helmets should fit with the rim of the helmet just above the eyebrows and a snug fit under the chin with the chinstrap.
Helmets can be fitted and purchased or rented at any local ski shop. In addition, Mary Bridge Hospital Center for Childhood Safety sells approved ski and snowboard helmets for $15 during winter months. They are at the Olympia Clinic at 200 Lilly Road from 3 to 5 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month. The recipient must be present to be correctly fitted. For more information about the Mary Bridge helmet program, call 253-403-1234.
Skiing and snowboarding truly can be a wonderful family activity, opening up a world of adventure and beautiful scenery. By following basic safety guidelines, children can grow up with fond childhood memories of their early ski experiences and a lifetime of enjoyment from the sport.
Cheryl Selby and Patty Layton are co-chairwomen of SAFE KIDS Thurston County. It is part of SAFE KIDS Worldwide with more than 600 coalitions in 16 nations around the world. SAFE KIDS Worldwide exists to eliminate accidental injury and death to children younger than 15. For more information about SAFE KIDS Thurston County, call 360-753-8284.
Related Articles:
Loading ...
