To take make my kids wear skate helmets when they go ice skating?

[Somethingsosimple]

Open air skating today with 2 dcs age 11 and 9. The first time but wondering if to bring helmets?

It's highly unlikely they will hit their heads any harder than if they tripped up walking or running!

If they fall they will hit their heads harder. You feet can really fly from from underneath you when you are skating and that coupled with the fact that you are raised up on the skates means you are more likely to fall with force.

It probably won't apply to the OPs kids but skaters can go really fast. Getting wiped out at speed is dangerous.

If the rink is mixed usage then it may be going to be more dangerous than if it's a little outdoor Xmas rink iykwim

I would think you are very sensible and wonder why more people don't to be honest!

My kids skate regularly and no one ever wears helmets at their rink, I believe it is the norm in other countries though and Canadian friends have commented on it! So it’s probably safer for them but do you risk them being the only ones!

Thanks so much for replies. We have been and they both wore helmets - it was nice and quiet abc no one batted an eyelid. My ds does a lot of stunt scooting so has a fairly helmet so not too embarrassing . There was a first aider there who said she had such a severe head injury from ice skating as a teenager that she was left partially paralysed for 3 months so commended us!

yanbu
I have seen some nasty falls on ice.
I would also add wrist protectors tbh.

In Switzerland most kids wear helmets - adults too. Mine do.
Take them with you whatever you decide when you get there.