Safe Skateboarding Tips for Your Tween

So, your child has expressed interest in skateboarding. As a parent you may be a bit skeptical as to the safety of skateboarding. You have very valid concerns. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, skateboarding injuries are responsible for over 50,000 visits to Emergency Rooms and 1,500 hospitalizations in the United States each year. You may feel more comfortable if you talk to your child about skateboarding safety and the importance of following these safety tips.

Never skate in or near traffic - Children being struck by motor vehicles account for 25% of the skateboarding injuries that lead to hospitalization in children's hospitals and trauma centers. There is no safe way for children to skateboard in or near traffic. You can buy your children all the safety gear available for skateboarding and it will not adequately protect them from a collision with a motor vehicle.

Always wear Safety Gear - Although safety gear can not prevent all injuries, it will cut down on the severity of injuries. The majority of severe injuries suffered by children from skateboarding are head trauma. Ensure that your child has a protective helmet with a chin strap and that they ALWAYS wear it. Wrist guards and knee pads can help prevent bone fractures, sprains, and abrasions. Shoes with a flat sole and good grip are preferred for skateboarding.

Choose a safe location with a good surface for skating - Surfaces with many cracks or debris should be avoided. Many skateboarding accidents occur when the wheels of the board his an uneven crack in the surface or debris that is laying on the surface. Large open parking lots with no traffic are ideal for skateboarding. If your city's laws allow it, many schools have large parking lots that will serve the purpose. Many cities now have skate parks intended just for the purpose of skateboarding. I would advise that your child become familiar with the skateboard and learn a little control over the board before visiting a skate park. Skate parks provide very smooth surface for skating that allows the board to gain a lot of momentum. This can be dangerous for a child who has not yet learned how to control the skateboard. Once your child has had a little time to get acquainted with the board, skate parks provide a safe place for your child to skate away from traffic.

Don't skate at night - It is important to see the surface you are skating on. There maybe rocks or cracks in the surface that could cause an accident. If your child may be walking home from skating after the sun begins to go down, reflective clothing should be worn so they are visible to any traffic they may encounter.

Buy Safe Skateboards - You could buy a cheap skateboard from wal mart for your child but you may want to consider a few things first. Cheaper skateboards are made of cheaper materials that may be unsafe. A board made from cheap material may break easier, grip tape may peel off, wheels are easily damaged, and they are not made with quality bearings. Spending a little extra money to buy a board made with quality materials will give your child a safer and more enjoyable skating experience. Go to a local skate shop or shop online. For tips on what to look for when buying your child a board, visit www.warehouseskateboards.com/howtobuy.asp .

Don't allow younger kids to skateboard - Children under 5 years old should NEVER ride a skateboard. They have not developed adequate balance necessary to ride a skateboard without injuring themselves. Ensure that your tween child knows that younger children should never borrow their boards. Don't allow your tween to teach younger siblings how to skate or even allow them to stand on their board.

Don't hitch rides from motor vehicles - Grabbing onto the back of a car and going for a ride on the skateboard looks cool and may seem like a lot of fun but it is very dangerous. There are too many dangers that can not be avoided at such a high rate of speed. Skateboarders can be seriously be injured by cars making sudden stops or swerving in traffic. Anything laying in the road can also cause a very serious accident. At no times should skateboards be used in areas with motor vehicles.

Safety check the board before each use - Boards should be checked for anything that is unsafe before each use. Look for cracks in the deck of the board. Check the wheels for cracks, nicks, and for areas that are worn flat. Check the bearings and ensure that they are in good working order. Make sure the trucks are secured to the deck of the board and are not cracked or broken.

Learn to fall - Your child will fall when learning to ride. Have them practice falling on a soft surface such as grass. When falling they need to practice relaxing their bodies rather than tensing up. Have them practice rolling into the grass as they are falling. If they get used to falling down in the grass, they may be more prepared when they take a tumble from their board.

Don't try advanced tricks - Once your child gets comfortable with the board they will probably want to try some skate tricks. They should only try tricks according to their skill level. If they know someone who already skates it is a good idea to ask which tricks are best for a beginner. Once they master the basics and the simpler tricks they can more on to the more advanced tricks.

Skateboarding, as with all sports, can be dangerous. Following these safety tips can allow your child to have fun skateboarding without it turning tragic.