Port Washington, N.Y. August 17, 2004 — The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recommended for years that skiers and snowboarders wear helmets to reduce the risk of head injuries. It is also known that helmets could reduce the number of deaths related to skiing and snowboarding by as much as 50 percent.
Then why is it so hard to convince people to wear them?
“There are many reasons that people do not like to wear helmets,” explains Margaret Spiegel, President and founder of crazeeHeads, Inc., a manufacturer of decorative ski helmet covers. “One of the most easily solvable problems is vanity. Many people simply do not like the way the helmets look.”
Margaret hopes that the crazeeHeads line of helmet covers featuring stylish, and sometime zany designs, will help remedy the problem. “crazeeHeads helmet covers are proof that you can be safe and look good at the same time. You have a situation now where people can express their taste and personality with accessories like these, and it encourages them to wear helmets.”
crazeeHeads helmet covers come in a variety of styles, ranging from the basic quilted nylon line, to their animal skin and luxurious plush animal collections. “The Plush Animal line is a favorite with kids,” adds Margaret, “the Panda, Tiger, and Gorilla are so popular, and we have three more on the way.”
Skiing Helmet Safety Standards
Ski helmets should carry a CE, ASTM or Snell RS-98 certification. ASTM standards have been determined by a battery of tests on helmet models, including testing the strength of a helmet’s retention system under simulated hot, cold and wet conditions. Helmets undergo tests of multiple impacts and velocity forces against various sections of the helmet to determine performance in skiing accidents.
Trends in Ski Helmets
Comfort is a top priority for skiers and riders, and manufacturers have been focusing on ventilation, as well as the lightweight construction of a microshell to encourage wider use. Some manufacturers argue that hard shell helmets such as those worn by downhill skiers provide the most protection. For style, new shapes and cool graphics are fighting back against the “uncool” stigma of ski helmets. Margaret adds, “And crazeeHeads is at the forefront of stylish trends that you see in the fashion world. Teenagers in particular are moving away from “bling” and going towards a polished look. crazeeHeads has a new quilted cover coming out this Fall that will address that need.”
New Rules
Aspen-Snowmass (which includes Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, and Keystone), created a policy making helmets mandatory for children ages six and under while participating in the ski or snowboard lessons offered by Aspen-Snowmass. This policy became effective on March 23, 2002. Vail and their affiliated resorts require that children 12 and under wear a helmet while participating in lessons offered by the resort unless the parent or guardian signs a waiver. Crested Butte also requires children 12 and under to wear helmets when participating in ski or snowboard lessons offered there. The U.S. Ski Association (USSA) requires participants to wear helmets in all of the official training and competitions that it sponsors. And finally, Ski-Europe.com reports that Italy recently passed a law mandating helmets for children under 14 years of age.
It seems as though the world is realizing that it makes sense to wear a helmet while participating in winter sports. Margaret has known this for a long time, and that is why the slogan for crazeeHeads is, “Play smart. Wear a helmet. Look smart. Wear a crazeeHeads.”
For additional information, contact:
Margaret Spiegel
crazeeHeads, Inc.
Tel: 1.516.263.3345
Fax: 1.516.367.1379
margaret@crazeeheads.com
www.crazeeheads.com
crazeeHeads, Inc. creates decorative helmet covers for skiers and snowboarders. Their complete line of helmet covers can be purchased at numerous retail locations worldwide, as well as through their website, https://www.crazeeheads.com.
