CPSC Staff Recommends Use of Helmets for Skiers, Snowboarders to
Prevent Head Injuries
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 1999
Release # 99-046
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052
CPSC Staff Recommends Use of Helmets for Skiers, Snowboarders to
Prevent Head Injuries
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff
is recommending skiers and snowboarders wear helmets to help prevent head
injuries from falls and collisions. In a study released today (pdf format), the CPSC staff concluded
that helmet use by skiers and snowboarders could prevent or reduce the severity of
44 percent of head injuries to adults, and 53 percent of head injuries to children
under the age of 15. The proportion of
skiing and snowboarding head injuries is higher in children than in any other age
group.
In 1997, there were 17,500 head injuries associated with skiing and snowboarding.
The CPSC study estimates that 7,700 head injuries -- including 2,600 head injuries to
children -- could be prevented or reduced in severity each year by using skiing or
snowboarding helmets. The study also shows that helmet use could prevent about
11 skiing- and snowboarding-
related deaths annually.
"We know that helmet use can prevent serious head injuries in a wide variety of
sports and activities, including bicycling and in-line skating," said CPSC Chairman
Ann Brown. "This study of skiing and snowboarding shows that helmets can prevent
or reduce the severity of head injuries on the slopes, just as they do on the
streets."
The study of head injuries associated with skiing and snowboarding was
conducted as part of CPSC's ongoing work to reduce head injuries in a variety of
sports and activities.
In addition to the CPSC staff study, research in other countries has shown that
helmets can help prevent head injuries to skiers. In Sweden, a national study found
that head injuries among skiers wearing helmets were 50 percent lower than for
skiers not wearing helmets.
According to the National Sporting Goods Association, nearly 10 million people
participate in alpine skiing more than once each year. Between 1993 and 1997, the
number of people who snowboard increased from 1.8 million to 2.5 million.
The CPSC study found that while overall hospital emergency room-treated
injuries associated with skiing declined substantially between 1993 and 1997, the
number of head injuries remained relatively constant. During the same period,
snowboarding injuries nearly tripled and the number of head injuries from
snowboarding increased five-fold.
From 1993 to 1997, the estimated number of hospital emergency room-treated
injuries of all types associated with skiing declined from 114,400 to 84,200. The
injuries have dropped, in part, because of improvements in ski equipment, such as
redesigned bindings, which have reduced injuries to the legs. Head injuries were
essentially unchanged at 13,600 in 1993 and 12,700 in 1997. For snowboarding,
hospital emergency room treated injuries increased from 12,600 in 1993 to 37,600 in
1997. The number of head injuries associated
with snowboarding increased from 1,000 in 1993 to 5,200 in 1997.
In addition to wearing helmets specifically designed for skiing or snowboarding,
the CPSC recommends these additional safety tips:
Select the right equipment, and make sure items such as bindings and boots are
adjusted to fit properly.
Make sure you have the proper training, and don't ski or snowboard beyond
your ability.
Ski and snowboard in control, and follow the rules of the slopes.
Never ski or snowboard alone. Make sure someone is there to help you if you
get hurt.
Get in shape before you hit the slopes. Making sure you are physically fit before
you ski or snowboard can help prevent injuries.
Wear warm, close-fitting clothing. Loose clothing can become entangled in lifts,
tow ropes and ski poles.
For more information on skiing and snowboarding safety, call CPSC's Hotline at
(800) 638-2772 or go to our web site at www.cpsc.gov.