Although it is a fun activity, skateboarding carries with it a serious risk for injury. In 2011, skateboard-related injuries accounted for more than 78,000 emergency room visits among children and adolescents (19 years old or younger).
There are many things that parents and children can do to help prevent skateboarding injuries, such as carefully selecting safe places to ride, and wearing protective gear, especially helmets.
On average, about 52% of skateboard injuries involve children under age 15. Most of the children injured are boys (average 85%).
Many injuries happen when a child loses balance, falls off the skateboard and lands on an outstretched arm. Skateboarding injuries often involve the wrist, ankle, or face.
- Injuries to the arms, legs, neck and trunk range from cuts and bruises to sprains, strains, and broken bones. Wrist fractures are quite common. Wearing wrist guards can reduce the frequency and severity of these fractures.
- Facial injuries, such as a broken nose or jawbone, are also common.
- Severe injuries include concussion and other head injuries.
Skateboarding is a special risk for young children because they have:
- A higher center of gravity, less development, and poor balance. These factors make children more likely to fall and hurt their heads.
- Slower reactions and less coordination than adults. Children are less able to "break" (slow down) their falls.
- Less skill and ability than they think. Children overestimate their skills and abilities, and are inexperienced in judging speed, traffic, and other risks.
- A properly fitting helmet
- Wrist guards help support the wrist and reduce the chances of breaking a bone if you fall.
- Knee and elbow pads reduce the severity of cuts and scrapes, and prevent gravel burns.
- Closed shoes that have slip-resistant soles.
- Goggles can keep debris out of the eyes.
Helmet Safety
To protect your head from
injury, always wear a properly fitting helmet. This is true no matter
what your age, level of experience, or skateboarding location.
Get a quality bicycle or multi-sport helmet. It should meet or exceed
safety standards of the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
You may need to try on several sizes and models to find a helmet that
fits your head correctly and securely. A properly fitting helmet:- Is worn flat on your head with the bottom edge parallel to the ground
- Sits low on your forehead
- Has side straps that form a "V" shape around each ear
- Has a buckle that fastens tightly (there should be room to put only two fingers between the strap and your chin)
- Has pads inside that you install or remove so the helmet fits snuggly
- Does not move in any direction when you shake your head
- Does not interfere with your movement, vision, or hearing