Roller Skates Pass Skateboards As Major Cause Of Recreational Injury

With the increasing popularity of roller skating among Americans of all ages, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that roller skates have become a significant cause of consumer recreational injuries, surpassing even skateboards in the number of reported accidents.

According to statistics compiled by CPSC, nearly one-fourth of the estimated 135,000 of those injured are people over the age of 25. Last year alone, 100 senior citizens and more than 10,000 middle-aged adults were hurt by roller skates.

As might be expected, at least half of all roller skating injuries are suffered by teenagers, and well over two-thirds of the injuries were to girls and women. By contrast, the great majority of skateboard accidents occurred to boys and men.

About one-third of the injuries were scrapes and bruises, but the rest were more serious -- fractures and sprains-- mainly to the ankles, wrists and other joints.

Many of these serious injuries might have been avoided if the roller skaters knew the proper way to fall. Typically, when skaters lose their balance, they try to break their fall in ways which increase the likelihood of fractures and sprains, such as falling forward onto outstretched arms.

CPSC believes some of these bruises and broken bones can be avoided if skaters follow these safety tips:

-- Wear protective padding on elbows and knees.

-- Try to fall in a relaxed rather than stiffened posture.

-- When falling, try to land on flesh or muscle rather than on bones or joints.

-- Try to skate on smooth surfaces, and keep watch for stones, twigs, broken cement or other surface irregularities.