Heelys and Protective Gear

You may have heard the recent buzz about kids getting hurt while wearing Heelys.  (Here’s one recent article –> http://www.comcast.net/news/health/index.jsp?cat=HEALTHWELLNESS&fn=/2007/06/04/680619.html ).  Are Heelys dangerous?  From my perspective, the danger is equivalent to other roller activities, like rollerblading or skateboarding.

So – should you mandate protective gear for your kids every time they put on their Heelys?  With skateboarding, we recommend kids always wear proper safety gear, including a skateboard helmet, knee pads and elbow pads, and wrist guards.  Should the same recommendation be applied to Heelys?

As a dad, I can rationalize a “yes” and argue why kids should wear the protective gear.  But, I also live in the real world of reasonable requirements, compromises, and balance.  Here’s where I come down on wearing protective gear while wearing Heelys:

• When first learning how to roll, our kids must wear protective gear.  That includes a helmet and wrist guards at a minimum.  If our kids don’t want to wear knee and elbow pads, that’s their decision and they have to live with the (painful) consequences.  Learning how to heel is not easy, and they’re going to fall down a lot.  This is the time to be wearing a helmet and wrist guards to prevent an injury.
• Once they demonstrate basic proficiency on their Heelys, then they do not have to wear a helmet and wrist guards every time they put on the shoes.
• If they’re going to try new tricks, or “speed trials” in their Heelys (my oldest are boys, natch…), then they need to strap on the helmet and wrist guards.

Is this a perfect solution?  No.  But, I think it’s a reasonable approach.  Your kids aren’t going to wear a helmet and wrist guards on the school bus.  So, you need to decide what your limits are and make them known.

What’s your limit?  Do you have a better solution that you can share with our readers?  Let us know!

Jim