Kids younger than five years of age should not ride skateboards. And those those between ages six and ten should only do it with some limitations.
That's the recommendation today from the American Academy of Pediatrics, based on a growing list of injuries from hospitals around the country.
Science Specialist Ed Yeates reports from a Skate Park in Salt Lake County.
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Additional AAP Suggestions
- Never ride skateboards or scooters in or near traffic.
- Wear a helmet and other protective gear when using skateboards and/or scooters.
- Communities continue to develop skateboard parks, which are more likely to be monitored for safety than ramps and jumps constructed by children at home.
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Pick any one of several skate parks now open around the valley and you'll find kids trying out their skills on the wheeled boards Olympic snowboarders say they got their start on.
Snowboarding no longer has to prove itself. Athletes pulled off some stellar, medal-winning performances during the Olympic games.
While it took years of training to get this good, many competitors say this is where it all started -- on a skateboard.
Spencer/ Age 10: "IF SOME KIDS AREN'T GOOD AT SOME TEAM SPORTS LIKE BASEBALL AND THEY WANT TO BE KIND OF INDIVIDUAL, THEY CAN COME OUT AND SKATEBOARD."
Joseph / Age 14: "IT'S KIND OF DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU CAN GET HURT REALLY EASY. BUT IT'S STILL REALLY FUN."
The American Academy of Pediatrics does not argue with the merits of the sport, but does worry about growing hospital statistics.
According to the AAP, skateboard injuries account for
approximately 50,000 emergency room visits each year, while scooters sent 9,400 people to emergency rooms in the first half of 2000 alone.
For example, Primary Children's Hospital last year treated 184 skateboard or scooter injuries. That's about three injuries per week.
Robert Bolte, M.D. / Primary Children's Hospital: "BUT OF THOSE 184 KIDS, WE HAD 18 KIDS SEVERELY INJURED, ENOUGH TO REQUIRE HOSPITALIZATION. THAT'S ABOUT A 10 PERCENT ADMIT RATE. AND AGAIN, AT LEAST WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE AT PRIMARY - IT'S ABOUT THREE TIMES THE NATIONAL AVERAGE."
Dr. Robert Bolte and other E.R. docs agree the sport is great for kids, but with some limitations.
The AAP is now recommending parents keep children under the age of five off skateboards.
Those age six to ten should be closely supervised.
Children younger than eight should not use scooters without close adult supervision.
Most kids we observed at a skatepark were older, but most were not wearing helmets or any other protective gear. The sign at the park clearly absolves the county of any liability for injury.
The AAP strongly recommends communities continue building well-designed skateparks, encouraging youth to train here and not in the streets.
They would, however, like to see adult supervision at these parks.
March 4, 2002
