Start ‘Em Young

As you know, kids’ brains are sponges. They soak in so much that they’ll use throughout their lives that it’s amazing there’s room for it all. But there is. That’s why it’s so important for parents to insist that kids wear helmets when taking part in sports – especially snow sports. Because although snow is soft and fluffy when it’s falling from the sky, it’s often packed so tightly on the slopes that it’s like hitting concrete when you take a spill. Whether your child is skiing on groomed trails or in fresh powder, you never know when they’ll catch an edge, lose their balance, or just lose control and accidentally veer into a tree. Or another skier. Or a snow fence. Or a boulder. Or who knows what. And, of course, it almost goes without saying, but riding a bike without wearing a helmet is just plain (dare I say?) dumb. Concrete and asphalt are unforgiving when either comes in contact with a head. Remember back when you were a kid? Remember how many times you took a tumble from your bike? Remember all the scrapes and bruises? Whew! Scary! Thankfully, nowadays many states have mandatory helmet laws for kids riding bikes. But even if your state doesn’t, why wouldn’t you want your little one to be as safe as possible? (see our little “model” below in her spandex helmet cover Princess Mona Leza)

Our little princess is wearing her helmet while riding her bicycle.

So what do you – as a parent – do? It’s simple … you must insist that your child wear a helmet. No ifs, ands, or buts. If your little one is just starting out, it’s easy to make this mandatory. But even if little Johnny or Janey is already experienced, you have the right and duty to make helmet wearing a must. You are the parent. You make the rules. You know what’s best for your child. And it’s worth putting up with some complaining if the outcome is worthwhile and essential. And protecting a noggin is certainly worthwhile and essential. Wouldn’t you agree?

There was a great article about wearing helmets in The New York Times on May 22, 2010, and you can read it online. Go to www.nytimes.com and search for “Grown-Up Cyclists Need Helmets, Too.” Lots and lots of valuable info. Highly recommended. (We’d reprint the article here, but they’d charge us a bundle to do so.) If you ride a bike or have kids who do, you owe it to them and yourself to read it. Be safe. Be smart. You’ve only got one noggin.

Legislation sponsored by Senators Anthony Bucco and Joe Pennacchio that would require skiers under the age of 18 to wear helmets on the slopes unanimously passed the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee today.

“Skiing is an inherently dangerous sport,” Bucco stated. “It is necessary to mandate the use of helmets on the slopes by young people because of their relative lack of experience and the high speeds involved.”

The bill would require any skier under the age of 18 years to wear a securely fitted protective helmet specifically designed by the manufacturer to be used while engaged in the activity of downhill skiing. The bill defines “downhill skiing” to include the operation of toboggans, sleds and snowboards.

“Tragedies on the slopes are not uncommon and can affect anyone,” Pennacchio continued. “Olympic athletes, famous actresses and members of one of America’s most famous political families have all been gravely injured in the past few years. Wearing a helmet on the slopes is just plain common sense.”

Amen, Senator Pennacchio! Let’s hope Governor Christie signs the legislation!

North American resorts are struggling with the idea of making helmets mandatory while skiing and snowboarding, motivated by recent incidents including actress Natasha Richardson’s death, after she fell at Mont Tremblant. Some resorts now require all children and teens enrolled in ski and snowboard programs to wear helmets and also include helmets in all rental packages. Vail Resorts recently began requiring all employees to wear them while skiing or snowboarding.

Two proposed California laws would require minors to wear a helmet while skiing or snowboarding and fines parents up to $25 if their children didn’t comply. Another would extend the requirement to resorts and force them to enforce the law. Resorts would also be required to submit monthly injury and death reporting, sign posting and file annual safety planning.

If the bills become law, California would have the nation’s most restrictive helmet laws for skiers and snowboarders and the most stringent requirements for ski resorts.

New York and New Jersey lawmakers also are pushing ski helmet mandates. One bill would compel resorts to “make (helmets) available to the public for sale or lease,” and require individual skiers and snowboarders to wear a helmet on the slopes. A second, similar bill would restrict the mandate to children under age 14 – the current state cutoff for mandatory bicycle helmet use. Some ski areas and organizations in both states oppose the bills.

According to the SnowSports Industry of America (SIA), this season’s helmet sales have already set records with 1.1 million units sold. Sales are up more than 25%, compared with the 2008/09 season, also a record setting helmet sales season.

Thanks to the SIA for keeping us up-to-date on this issue.

Wow! Here’s great news! In January 2010, The Canadian Ski Council (CSC), Canada’s national umbrella organization for the Canadian ski and snowboard industry, released its policy on helmet usage at Canadian ski areas. “The Canadian Ski Council recommends wearing helmets for skiing and riding. Skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to educate themselves on the benefits and limitations of helmet usage.” The Policy was developed after the Council’s research showed that helmet usage in Canada is increasing steadily, with over 50% of Canadian skiers and boarders wearing helmets – and reaching 90% among youth in many areas. Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Here’s hoping skiers and boarders in the USA start wearing helmets in equal or better percentages!

We had a surprise visitor this morning, a big ol’ monkey who wanted to say hello to Mo. (You can visit all our animal friends at www.crazeeheads.com too! or at Booth 948)

from the left: Mo the Monkey (aka Ella), Poppi the Pig (aka Hannah) and "Slider" the Gorilla

Then we had other visitors who really felt that “Hankster the Prankster” fit their personalities!

Jason Hall models Hankster the Prankster

and then there was Keith who loved “Hankster the Prankster” because it really REALLY fit his personality!

It has been a fast-paced, interesting day 1 at the trade show. Our models Hannah and her daughter Ella stayed for 4 hours, and they certainly got a lot of attention while wearing our helmet covers.

Hannah and Ella modeling Princess Mona Leza

And we had a surprise visit from Elvis (AKA Richard from Turtle Fur). Margaret and Elvis posed for a photo with our unofficial spokesperson, Heidi Klum.

Elvis, Heidi and Margaret

And we got another surprise visitor – a ski racing champion in his own mind – Dave Perrigo! Who is Dave Perrigo, you ask? Only a 10-time NASTAR racing champion, that’s all. So Dave loves crazeeHeads, and here he is wearing Cupid (sans helmet). How cute is that?

Dave , Cupid and the Klum girls Heidi and Leni

We had one of our best days yet! Here are some pictures that we took of our models as well as some children who volunteered to be in a picture– they loved our covers so much, their parents said OK!

our little Princess: Riley Barnes

Riley wearing Zoe the Zebra and (Mom) Brittany in Cupid

Children that came by our booth, chose what they wanted to wear and stood next to our little girl Riley!

We woke up this morning and rushed to see if we made it into the Daily paper for the trade show– we DID! Take a look at the picture that was taken of our 2 models Brittaney and Dylan!

They are wearing two of our most popular styles: Kookie the Koala and Hankster the Prankster. Hankster is a colorful blue spandex helmet cover that can fit over a bike helmet as well as a ski helmet.

Go- go- Dylan!

Mom adjusting helmet straps on Dylan

Who said that pickles and kookies don't mix? Here's proof they do!

What a day! We’re in the Grand Ballroom with a bunch of other assorted “new to the show” manufacturers. Lots of cool items that will be coming to stores soon. We had a little boy named Dylan, and his Mom, Brittany model for us for a few hours today. Brittany is very pretty and down to earth. It was the first time Dylan ever did any modeling! His little sister might be taking his place tomorrow so that both kids have a chance to do this with their Mom.