COLUMBUS – Skateboards are a lot of fun, and seemingly ubiquitous, but can also be dangerous, sending nearly 200 children to emergency rooms every day in the U.S.
In a study published online today by Injury Epidemiology, researchers from the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital wrote that, over the 19-year period 1990 to 2008 an average of 64,572 children and adolescents were treated each year for skateboarding-related injuries, or about 176 a day, said Lara McKenzie, PhD, the study’s lead author and the center’s principal investigator.
She recommends children not be allowed to skateboard at all until the age of 6 and only then with adult supervision and should always wear safety equipment, including a helmet, wrist guards, and elbow and knee pads.
Skateboarding safety guidelines:
-Children should always are wearing a helmet, wrist guards, elbow and knee pads. Kids are more likely to wear protective gear they help pick out.
-Most children are not coordinated enough to skateboard until they are at least 6 years old. If your children are between 6-10 years old, make sure they have an adult with them every time they ride.
-Plan your route. Be aware of uneven riding surfaces like cracks and potholes. Many injuries happen on the street so avoid riding in or near traffic. Skateboard parks are a great place to ride without having to worry about cars.
-If it is dark or the weather is bad find another activity until the weather clears up and it is light outside.
-Follow these tips for skateboards, longboards, wave boards, Ripstiks and other skateboard-like devices.
Source: Nationwide Children’s Hospital
The researchers examined data on children from 5 to 19 years of age provided by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, a database operated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission which tracks consumer product-related and sports- and recreation-related injuries treated in hospital emergency departments.
The study found that 89 percent of the injured children were boys and the injuries happened most often at home — 38 percent — or in the street or highway — 30 percent.
The most common injuries were fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains to arms and legs. Older children were more likely to injure their arms and legs while the younger kids suffered more face, head and neck injuries.