Dear Editor:
The recent death of actress Natasha Richardson underscores the need for skiers to take safety precautions while on the slopes. Ms. Richardson died as a result of a brain injury which may have been prevented had she been wearing a ski helmet.
Many experienced skiers wear helmets and novice skiers should follow suit, particularly youth. This is why we support passage of a bill package (S-168/A3612) which would require children under the age of 14 to wear helmets while skiing. We call on the Assembly Tourism & Gaming Committee to hold a hearing on these bills and take a step toward preventing a tragedy such as this happening to any of New Jersey’s children.
The Brain Injury Association of New Jersey is a statewide organization committed to supporting and advocating for individuals affected by brain injury and raising public awareness through education and prevention. A brain injury can happen to anyone at anytime. For more information on the services and resources of the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey, including concussion awareness and prevention, please call the toll-free helpline at 1-800-669-4323 or visit www.bianj.org
Sincerely,
Barbara Geiger-Parker
President and CEO
Brain Injury Association of New Jersey