Safe Sliders
The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission reports that ski helmets could reduce or prevent the effects of 53 percent of head injuries suffered by children under the age of 15 while skiing or snowboarding. Nationwide, a quarter of a million children are injured annually while participating in winter sports.
In an effort to help educate young skiers and snowboarders about the potential hazards of winter sports, the University of Virginia Children's Hospital and Wintergreen Ski Resort teamed up to create the Safe Sliders program. The Safe Sliders program provides young skiers with helmets, safety tips, and reflective tags for skiing.
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During the 2008-2009 ski season, members of the Community Outreach office educated young skiers and snowboarders about winter sport safety. This year marked the fourth season of the program. The Safe Sliders program has been recognized on a national level for its unique approach to educating children about winter sports safety. The National Ski Association recognized Safe Sliders with the Heads Up National Safety Award for Best Youth Safety Program. The program was also recognized by the National Resort & Commercial Recreation Association for Excellence in Programming. In addition to other Safe Sliders events, the Community Outreach office educated young skiers of Club Yancey from Yancey Elementary School on winter sports safety. Each member of Club Yancey was fitted for a free ski helmet. The ski helmets were distributed to Club Yancey at the end of February 2009. This ski helmet distribution with Club Yancey could not have been possible without grant assistance from the American Trauma Society Virginia Division. |
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