Every day, millions of Americans indulge their passion for sports. From softball to skating, these activities offer hours of fun and help keep people physically and mentally fit. But some sports also pose serious dangers to those who do not strap on a protective helmet.

Helmets help prevent head injuries that result from falls and collisions with other people and objects. Even casual, low-speed impacts can result in permanent brain damage and even death. The helmet absorbs much of the force from a blow that otherwise would directly impact a person's head.

Many spring, summer and fall activities require the protection of a helmet. These include bicycling, football, baseball, softball, use of foot-propelled scooters, skateboarding and in-line skating.

Once winter arrives, it may be tempting to put your helmet use on ice until spring. However, helmets are required equipment for all types of winter activities, including skating, skiing and snowboarding. Many experts even recommend helmets for sledding.

Choosing the right helmet

Helmets can significantly lower the risk of head injuries, but only if they meet certain criteria. Here are some tips:

• Choose a helmet that contains layers of plastic foam covered by a hard outer shell.
  
  
• Look for a sticker from an organization such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) ensuring that the product meets or exceeds government safety standards. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Snell Foundation are other well-respected organizations that approve helmets for safety.
  
  
• Choose a helmet appropriate for your activity. Different types of helmets are built to provide varying types of protection. So, people who are skating should never use a football helmet or bicycle helmet for protection. Only a hockey helmet will do. Some helmets provide protection for more than one sport. This should be clearly noted on the helmet itself.
  
  
• Try it on. A helmet must fit properly if it is to provide the proper protection. A loose helmet can fly off a person's head during a collision or other heavy impact -- the very moment when the helmet's protection is needed most. To ensure proper fit, select a helmet that sits flat on your head and covers the top of your forehead. Pull the chin strap tight. If the helmet moves more than 1 inch in any direction, it's too loose or too big. Trying on a helmet at the store can also help determine whether or not the helmet's straps impede visibility.