Today, there is no doubt about the use of helmets and protective gear for children for outdoor skating 
activities.
The death of actress Natasha Richardson, who suffered a brain injury when she fell while skiing on a beginner's slope, is a good reason for all of us to consider the importance of helmets at any age. My own kids (all grown now) grew up in an era when parents hardly ever used helmets for roller skating, bike riding or other similar activities. Since 2003, children under 18 years old in California must wear helmets while riding skateboards, in-line skates, roller skates, non-motorized scooters or bicycles. Similar helmet laws are in effect in New Mexico, New York State and New Jersey, just to name a few locations.
- Bicycle and inline helmet laws in the United States
- New York and New Jersey inline skating laws
- California state helmet laws include inline skating
If our children should wear helmets, we should, too. Do you wear your helmet while inline skating, cycling or skiing?
Comments
The government should leave the parenting of our kids to us. The day I wear a helmet to skate is the day I can no longer participate in any activities due to age. Next thing you know we’re going to have to wear a helmet to run because we might trip and fall. Natasha died because of not only head trauma but neglecting emergency help. We better pad up our ice and roller figure skaters because they fall the most.
Its a shame when a child dies. The law should be 100% enforced, which I don’t see happening at all. If an ADULT wants to gamble with their life, that’s their choice.
As for professional roller/inline skaters, skateboarders and bicyclists, They DO wear protective gear, their age doesn’t stop them from doing what they love/enjoy. Obviously the figure skaters don’t (they should), but the point to all of this is CHILDREN should wear protective gear until they are old enough to make that choice for themselves.