Skateboarding is fun, and can be great for building strength, balance and stamina. But without the right precautions, young people can get hurt. More than half of those injured on skateboards are ages 15-24, and more than a third are 14 and younger, according to the National Safety Council.
Here are some tips on safer skateboarding from the Deaconess Regional Trauma Center.
- Wear closed-toe, slip-resistant shoes.
- A helmet, knee-pads and elbow-pads are a must for preventing serious injuries.
- Use the proper skateboard for the type of riding: freestyle, slalom or speed.
- Never ride in the street. Obey local laws on where you can and cannot ride.
- Don’t skate in a crowd of non-skaters. It’s dangerous and annoying to those around you.
- Only one person per board.
- Never hitch a ride from a car, bike, scooter, etc.
But even with the best precautions, and no matter how good you are, you will fall. So learn to do it the safest way possible.
- If you feel like you are about to lose control, crouch down so you don’t have as far to fall
- Try to land on the fleshy parts of your body
- Try to roll rather than absorbing the force with your arms
- Try to relax your body rather than stiffening up
These tips are courtesy of the Deaconess Regional Trauma Center. Don’t let an injury ruin your summer fun!