Intermountain Health & Brighton Ski Resort Team Up for Free Ski Helmet Giveaway to Ensure Safety on Slopes
Intermountain Health and Brighton Ski Resort are teaming up to make the slopes safer for skiers and snowboarders by giving out 100 helmets to skiers and boarders.
January is National Ski and Snowboard Safety Month, so Intermountain teamed up with Brighton Ski Resoirt on Friday to promote safety on the slopes by handing out more than 100 helmets to boarders and skiers.
The two organizations are working together to enhance skier safety and reduce potentially serious head injuries on the slopes by handing our vouchers to skiers and snowboarders at Brighton who don’t have helmets to receive a free helmet.
Helmets are a key line of defense for skiers and boarders. The National Ski Areas Association reports that helmets can reduce head injuries by 30-50 percent and potentially prevent a trip to the emergency department for a serious head injury.
In addition to giving out free helmets, experts from Intermountain Alta View Hospital will perform helmets fittings, provide safety information, provide hot chocolate, and hand out other goodies to ensure skiers and boarders have a safe experience on the mountain.
“We see people all the time in our hospitals, in our clinics, that have serious, if not fatal, effects from a head injury in skiing or snowboarding,” said Aaron Swalberg, a physical therapist with Intermountain Health.
“The correct size is important,” Swalberg said. “It shouldn’t move around when you grab it and shake it. It should fit right above the eyebrows so that it protects your head, and you should barely be able to fit two fingers under the chinstrap when it’s secure.
So, whether it’s your first ski season or your 50th, having that extra layer of protection can ensure that your time on the slopes is as safe as it is enjoyable.
“We’re always trying to get the word out about safety. Our hope is that we can reduce the number of patients that we see because of head injuries,” Swalberg said.
Swalberg advised using helmets for other winter activities, such as sledding and tubing.
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