Helmet Safety
Helmet Safety at UVM Health
Helmets are one of the best ways to reduce your risk of a serious brain or head injury, such as a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Brain injuries can have devastating physical, emotional and financial impacts on the injured and their loved ones, which is why it’s important to protect your head as much as possible.
PHAT Helmet Program
Protect Your Head at All Times, Protect Your Head on All Terrains (PHAT) promotes the use of helmets in all sports and activities that involve a risk of head injury, such as biking, skiing and snowboarding.
PHAT and Safe Kids Vermont have collaborated to make bicycle and multisport (skateboard-style) helmets more accessible and affordable. Community members can purchase helmets in any size — from toddler to adult — for just $15 each.
Please use our size guide to determine appropriate sizing and request your helmet here.
About PHAT
PHAT was founded in 2002 by Robert Williams, MD, a critical care specialist and pediatric anesthesiologist at University of Vermont Medical Center and an associate professor of anesthesiology at UVM Larner College of Medicine.
Originally, PHAT focused on helmet use among Vermont skiers and snowboarders. Our approach increased helmet use on local mountains to well above the national average and raised visibility of the issue throughout the United States. We have since expanded our focus to include all recreational activities with a risk of head injury.
PHAT has no ties to helmet manufacturers or retailers.
Become a PHAT Partner
Are you passionate about helmet safety and preventing head injuries? Become a PHAT partner to help your community access affordable helmets.
Partners serve as distribution sites for the helmet program and are essential in getting helmets to community members. We will provide you with helmets to be sold or distributed, at no cost to you. In addition to helmets, we will also provide you with flyers, fitting guides, PHAT stickers and more.
Contact us at InjuryPrevention@uvmhealth.org to learn more.
Helmet Safety Resources
- PHAT Brochure (PDF)
- ATV Safety Social Media Toolkit (PDF)
- Tip 1: Keep a Clear Head (JPEG)
- Tip 2: Ride on Designated Trails or Where You Have Permission (JPEG)
- Tip 3: Fit the ATV to the Rider (JPEG)
- Tip 4: Have a Cell Phone Charged and Ready (JPEG)
- Tip 5: Inspect Your ATV Before Every Ride (JPEG)
- Tip 6: Ride PHAT (JPEG)
- Tip 7: Ride with Friends (JPEG)
- Tip 8: Take a Safety Course (JPEG)
- Tip 9: Supervise Riders Younger Than 16 (JPEG)
- PHAT and ATVs (PDF)
- PHAT and Scootering (PDF)
- PHAT and Snowmobiles (PDF)
- How to Care for Your Helmet
