5 Helmet Safety Tips

1. Select a helmet designed for skiing and snowboarding. It provides more insulation and protection against impact than a bike helmet does.
2. Check that it meets an appropriate safety standard. Look for one or more of these labels: ASTM International (formerly known as American Society of Testing and Materials), CEN (European Committee for Standardization), or Snell Memorial Foundation.
3. Look for a helmet that's brightly colored. It will be more visible on the slopes than one that's dark.
4. Buy a helmet that fits now, not one that your kid can grow into. Make sure it's snug and covers most of her forehead. You shouldn't be able to move it front to back or side to side. Have her wear it centered on top of her head -- not tipped back -- with the chinstrap buckled.
5. Take your child's goggles along when buying her helmet. If they don't fit together properly, your child's field of vision can become blocked.

Originally published in the December 2011 issue of Parents magazine.

All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.

Related Features: