SKATEBOARD SAFETY
One of the most thrilling activities that people can engage in these days is skateboarding. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most dangerous. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 104,000 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms in 2001 with skateboard-related injuries.
If you or your child enjoy skateboarding, please follow these safety tips to prevent or minimize the risks associated with skateboarding:
* Before riding, check the area you will be riding in by looking for holes, bumps, rocks or any debris.
* Check your skateboard for hazards such as loose, broken or cracked parts; sharp edges on metal boards; slippery top surface; or wheels with nicks or cracks.
* Wear protective gear such as helmets, wrist guards, and elbow and knee pads to reduce the severity of injuries.
* Never ride in the street.
* Don't take chances. Complicated tricks require careful practice and a specifically designed area.
* Only one person should ride a skateboard at a time.
* Never grab onto a car, bus, truck or bicycle.
* Learning to fall helps reduce your chances of being seriously injured.
* If you are losing your balance, crouch down on the skateboard so that you will have so far to fall.
* In a fall, try to land on the fleshy parts of your body and try to roll rather than absorb the force with your arms and try to relax your body.
