Contact: Troy Hawks
NSAA Communications
(720) 963-4215
thawks@nsaa.org

Lids on Kids Continues to Provide Essential Helmet Info

LAKEWOOD, Colo.—January 11, 2006—Stats show 33 percent of U.S. skiers and snowboarders wore a helmet on the slopes last season, and the numbers of helmeted participants has been on the rise for at least three years. To help adress questions about ski and snowboard helmet use—specifically from parents—the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) created www.lidsonkids.org in 2002/03. Since then, the website has seen millions of hits.

“The objective of Lids on Kids is to educate parents about the use of helmets for their children and to heighten general awareness about helmet use,” says NSAA Director of Education Tim White. “It’s intended to provide information to parents so they can make their own educated choice about whether or not to wear a helmet or outfit their kids in one.”

This season, visitors to lidsonkids.org will enjoy a new interactive version of “Your Responsibility Code” and other added Flash animation. In addition to the catchy “A Helmet—It’s a Smart Idea” logo, other content includes FAQs about helmets and general skiing preparedness, related articles, helmet fit and sizing information, downloadable logos and graphics, info on various kids’ programs at ski resorts, and tips and testimonials about helmet use from U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team athletes. Links to sponsors R.E.D.and PRO-TEC helmets are also included.

Lids on Kids was created as part of NSAA’s industry-wide “Heads Up” ski and snowboard safety campaign. Other Heads Up programs include the annual Kids’ Safety Poster Contest, National Safety Awareness Week (January 14-20, 2006), the Smart Style Safety Initiative and a terrain park safety website (www.terrainparksafety.org). Resorts nationwide participate in Safety Week, and for the past several years many have included promotions or activities focused on helmet use.

As always, remember that there is no substitute for responsible behavior on the slopes. For more information on Lids on Kids, or any of NSAA’s safety initiatives, access www.nsaa.org or www.lidsonkids.org.

 THE NATIONAL SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION, LOCATED IN LAKEWOOD, COLO., IS A TRADE ASSOCIATION FORMED IN 1962 FOR SKI AREA OWNERS AND OPERATORS NATIONWIDE.

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