Safety advocates call for national helmet standards

Safety advocates say some sports helmets sold in Canada leave children vulnerable to injury and are calling on the government establish a set of national standards for the protective gear.

Richard Kinar, a former professional freestyle skier, says he was shocked to learn there are no minimum safety standards for sports helmets in Canada, with the exception of hockey and cycling.

He says the standardsare needed andhas witnessed many close calls on the ski hills.

"Really, it's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the carnage around the country," Kinar said. "I really think that we're putting Canadian youth at risk by not dealing with this issue and making it aNo. 1priority."

Kinar says Canadians would benefit from enforced regulations and minimum standards, as are required in the United States and Europe. While many helmets sold in Canada meet these international standards, some have no certification at all.

Hockey helmet standards set in 1973

Some confusion among consumers over certification stems from the successful regulation of hockey helmets, for which the Canadian Standards Association established a set of standards in 1973. The federal government has since required every helmet-producing company to abide by the standards under the Hazardous Products Act.

"Most people go into a ski shop or a sport shop to buy a helmet and are more concerned about colour and style and don't pay any attention to safety concerns because they believe the government has looked after them as they have with hockey helmets," Kinar said.

'"We're very much at the bottom of the totem pole." Richard Kinar, safety advocate

Consumers should ask a salesperson which safety standards their helmet meets or search for a certification sticker on the gear, says Kinar, adding that Canadians should also buy products from major manufacturers at reputable shops. He also notes consumers should look at how well the item is put together.

"If you see two helmets and you're looking at them and there's a big difference in price point, you might start to look at the helmet itself," he says.

Snowboard, ski helmet standards to come

The CSA is in the process of developing a set of standards for skiing and snowboarding helmets, CBC News reporter Teddy Katz has found.

It has not yet been determined if the standards will be voluntary or if the federal government will enforce the regulations.

Kinar says that in comparison to other countries, Canada has been slow to act.

"We're very much at the bottom of the totem pole," he says.

Kinar says the CSA, members of the ski industry and the medicalcommunity are in agreement that Canada needs to develop a set of helmet standards.