| Many children have a love for skateboarding. | | | | proper head gear. There are specialty shorts |
| They watch some of their favorite | | | | and shirts that are made for skateboarders |
| professionals do tricks and dangerous moves | | | | that include padding which will help reduce |
| on television and want to do them also. | | | | cuts, scrapes and possibly broken bones in |
| However, the people on television are highly | | | | case of a fall. At the very minimum, the |
| trained and well protected. Children need to | | | | child should be wearing protective elbow and |
| be aware of the risks associated with | | | | knee pads at all times. |
| skateboarding and how to minimize those risks | | | | |
| by being safe. Children should be told before | | | | When skateboarding, it is inevitable that the |
| they start skateboarding that this is a fun | | | | skateboarder will eventually fall. This may |
| but dangerous sport and they should always be | | | | occur as one is learning how to skateboard or |
| aware of the dangers when trying to do | | | | when trying tricks and more complicated |
| anything on a skateboard. Additionally, | | | | maneuvers. Learning how to fall properly will |
| before the child goes out, children should be | | | | help reduce injury. Lowering the body and |
| sure they have on all protective equipment | | | | rolling is the best way to fall. If |
| and that they are supervised by an adult or | | | | completely upright, the impact will be harder |
| they are in contact with an adult at all | | | | and there will be more of a chance of injury. |
| times in case of emergency. | | | | Trying to relax is difficult but a relaxed |
| | | | body is less prone to breaks than a rigid |
| The skateboard itself should be considered | | | | one. The skateboarder should also be aware of |
| before purchasing. There are different types | | | | others who are around and should be aware of |
| of boards for different forms and levels of | | | | their environment. A skate board park or back |
| skate boarder. Choosing the proper skateboard | | | | yard is the safest environment for |
| and ensuring it is age appropriate is very | | | | skateboarders. It is not advisable to allow |
| important. Protective gear is very important | | | | children to skateboard on the street because |
| when skateboarding. Shoes should be closed | | | | passing cars pose an increased risk. Ensuring |
| toe and provide flexibility and a grip that | | | | children know how to protect themselves and |
| is important. A helmet should also be used | | | | that they know all safety rules will minimize |
| all the time when skateboarding. Head | | | | the injury risks associated with |
| injuries are very common and most severe head | | | | skateboarding. |
| trauma can be eliminated with the use of | | | | |