Skateboarding, inline skating and scootering are great ways to get around and keep active. Skateboarding is also a recreational activity where skaters can enjoy skateboard parks and meet up with friends.

The most common injuries from wheeled sports are sprains, strains and broken arms and head injuries from falling. By knowing the risks and taking action, you can help prevent serious injuries.

When inline skating, skateboarding or riding a scooter:

  • Choose the right helmet for the activity. Read the helmet label or packaging to see what sport the helmet is for.
    • Bike helmets can be used for cycling, scooters, and inline skating
    • Skateboard helmets should be worn for inline tricks and skateboarding
    • Multi-sport helmets are designed for several activities
  • Fasten all helmets correctly following the 2-V-1 rule:
    • only 2 fingers should fit between your eyebrows and the helmet
    • the straps should form a V around your ears
    • only 1 finger should fit between your chin and the chin strap.
  • Prevent a broken wrist or forearm by having your child wear wrist guards. If your child is using a scooter, wrist guards are not recommended since your needs to move the wrists to control the handle bars.
  • Wear closed-toe shoes with good treads.
  • Do not wear headphones.

When inline skating, skateboarding or riding a scooter stay safe by:

  • Riding in a place that has a smooth surface and is away from traffic.
  • Using skateboard parks for doing tricks, not homemade ramps.
  • Not riding at night or in wet weather.
  • Never holding onto a moving bike, bus or car.
  • Supervising children under 11 years of age
  • Waiting until your child is at least 5 years of age before allowing skateboarding. Very young children do not have the required maturity and skills.
Hoverboards (electric scooters)

Hoverboards are new and there have been problems reported about the use of them.  Emergency departments have reported fractures and head injuries from riders falling from the hoverboards. Also, there have been many reports in the U.S. of them catching fire.  Health Canada and the Consumer Product Safety Commission CPSC recommend the use of helmets, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards to reduce the risk of fractures, sprains and other injuries.

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