Facts About Injuries

• Each year, approximately 26,000 children, most under the age of 15 are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries related to skateboarding.
   
• Forearm fractures are by far the most common injuries seen from skateboarding and inline skating falls. Other frequent injuries include abrasions, lacerations and fractures around the elbow, shoulder, knee and ankle.

Safety Tips

• Safe location: Especially if you are an inexperienced skater, limit your skating to parks or rinks and away from streets with traffic. Avoid skating over hills. Skate only on smooth surface.

Supervision

• For children under the age of 8, close adult supervision is recommended.

Equipment/Protective Gear

• Maintain your skateboard and inline skates in top condition and inspect them before each use.
   
• Ensure that your inline skates fit well and are suited to the purpose and your ability as a skater.
   
• Inline skaters should always wear a helmet, knee and elbow pads and wrist guards.
   
• Skateboarders should always wear a helmet, gloves and knee and elbow pads.  It is also advisable to wear long pants, a long sleeved shirt and rubber-soled shoes.

Visibility

• Wear bright colors such as yellow, orange, bright pink or green so others can see you coming towards them.
   
• Avoid skating in bad weather or when it is dark.

Alertness

• Do not wear headphones. You must be able to hear and react to car horns and other noises.

Falls

• Control your speed in order to react and stop quickly or fall safely.
• Learning how to fall can reduce the chances of serious injury.
• When falling, crouch down to limit the height or a serious injury.
• Try to land on your shoulders and hips and roll to distribute the force over your entire body.
• Relax your body instead of stiffening up.
• Practice falling on a soft surface such as grass.

“Tricks”

• Tricks require lots of practice, skills and use of protective gear.
• They should be performed in specially designated areas only.
• Never hitch a ride from a car or bicycle.

© Children's Specialists of San Diego | Medical News Archive