Some toys can be dangerous for new or untrained users, such as the ever popular skateboards and inline skates.  If your child is one of the many with wheels under their feet, consider the following statistics:

According to SafeKids.org

• In 2002, more than 60,100 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for skateboard-related injuries. 
• Six out of every ten skateboarding injuries occur among children ages 14 and under.
• Since 1992, at least 87 children ages 14 and under have died from inline skating injuries; the majority of these deaths were from collisions with motor vehicles. 
• In 2002, nearly 36,300 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for inline skating-related injuries. 

If your children are excited about hitting the skate park, here are a few tips to keep them safe:

1.  Make sure your child always wears a helmet – The helmets your kids wear should be made especially for skateboarding or inline skating because these helmets are designed to protect against falls to the back of the head, where the majority of skateboarding/inline skating injuries occur. (bicycle helmets are designed to protect the front of the head, where most bicycle head injuries occur)    

2.  Make sure your child always wears knee and elbow pads

3.  Find out the safety protocol and emergency preparedness of the staff at the skatepark – at a minimum, the park should have emergency first aid kits available.  Staff should also be trained on what to do in an emergency, which hospitals are closest, and how injured skaters will be transported. 

4.  Don’t let your child use the skateboard or inline skates on the street – If possible, only allow your children to practice their skills in a skate park where trained professionals can oversee and assist with any injuries.  If no such place is available, make sure you are available to supervise your child when they are playing. 

Don Keenan, founder of the Keenan’s Kids Foundation, has published a book on kid’s safety titled, 365 Ways to Keep Kids Safe, which is available at www.balloonpress.com or at www.amazon.com    Proceeds benefit the Keenan’s Kids Foundation. 

Tags: safety