Q:  My child wants inline skates – how do I get the right ones?

• The boot should be well fitting
  • Make sure to try on the skate with socks similar to those that will be worn to skate
  • To be safe, the boot should be snug and supportive, but not tight
  • Try skates at the end of the day when the foot tends to be the biggest
  • Make sure the heel seats fully back in the skate before buckling
• Inspect the skate for damage
  • The wheels should spin freely
  • The buckles should all be working
  • Never do home repairs or modifications to inline skates

Q:  My child has new inline skates – how can I help my child avoid getting hurt?

• Wear a well-fitting helmet and safety gear
• Know how to stop and to fall.  Practice these things in an open, safe environment.
• Practice with the assistance of a railing or an adult to provide support
• Crouch to lower the center of gravity, helping with balance and lessening the energy of a fall
• Fall on the fleshy parts of the body and roll after a fall

• Never skate where there is car traffic
• Announce that you are approaching pedestrians from behind
• Avoid surfaces unsuitable for skating (grass, sand, gravel, or debris)
• Never skate with a headset which may block the warning of a horn, siren, or traffic noise
• Never “skitch” or be pulled behind a bike or vehicle while on skates
• Don’t skate in poor visibility- rain, dusk, dawn or after dark.

Q:  What type of safety equipment should my child wear to inline skate?

•  A well-fitting helmet that does not interfere with vision or hearing
• Wrist guards
• Knee and elbow pads
• Long pants and a long sleeved shirt – abrasions are the most common injury from falls