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Skateboards and scooters have increased in popularity over
the past few years. Skateboard-related injuries account for
an estimated 50,000 emergency department visits and 1500 hospitalizations
among children and adolescents in the United States each year.
Non-powered scooter-related injuries accounted for an estimated
9400 emergency department visits between January and August
2000, and 90% of these patients were children younger than
15 years.
Children under the age of eight may be at a higher risk of
injury for developmental reasons. Judgment of actual skill
level is impaired and strength is often poor. Younger children
have a higher center of gravity compared to older children
and adults. The neuromuscular system of these children is
not fully developed and they are not able to protect themselves
from injury.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following:
1. Children younger than 10 years should not use skateboards
without close supervision by an adult. Children younger than
5 years should not use skateboards; instead, parents and pediatricians
should encourage them to undertake activities that are more
developmentally appropriate.
2. Skateboards must never be ridden in or near traffic,
regardless of traffic volumes.
3. Skitching a ride, or holding on to the side or
rear of a moving vehicle should never be done.
4. Pediatricians should advise parents, teachers,
and others to strongly recommend that all skateboarders wear
a helmet and other protective gear (wrist guards, elbow pads,
and knee pads) to prevent or reduce the severity of injuries
resulting from falls. The helmet should be a bicycle helmet
that complies (and is so labeled) with the CPSC standard or
a multi-sport helmet that complies with the N-94 standard.
The N-94 standard requires that helmets pass multiple impact
tests to the back during laboratory testing.
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| 5. Communities should continue to develop skateboarding
parks and encourage youth to practice there. These parks are
preferred to home-constructed ramps and jumps, because they
are monitored more closely for safety and provide separation
of the skateboarder from pedestrians and vehicle traffic.
6. Until additional information is available, pediatricians
should counsel parents on the use of non-powered scooters
according to the following CPSC recommendations:
- Children younger than 8 years should not ride scooters
without close adult supervision.
- Children should not ride scooters in streets, in traffic,
or at night.
- Children should wear helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads
while using scooters.
7. The Academy strongly emphasizes the need to monitor
the amount and nature of non-powered scooter use and resultant
injuries.
This article was adapted from the American Academy of
Pediatrics.
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