Scooter, Skateboard, and Inline Skates Safety

Your child must wear safety gear—including a helmet—every time they ride. Make a firm rule that your child cannot ride without it.

Equipment should be kept in good shape. For instance, before each ride, your child should check the wheels, brakes, and other equipment. If your child is young, check the equipment yourself.

Choose a safe place to ride that is located away from vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Your child should never wear headphones while riding. They need to be able to hear oncoming traffic.

Allow your child to ride only during daylight, never at dusk or at night.

Wear protective gear that fits properly. This includes a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, and knee pads. Protective gear should be worn even at a skating rink.

Don't hold on to moving vehicles while inline skating.

Always skate at a speed at which they can stay in control.

Consider taking inline skating lessons when learning to skate. Beginners should skate only at an indoor or outdoor skating rink.

Use skates that are the right type and fit for their size and skill level.

Wear protective gear that fits correctly. This includes a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. Wrist guards should not be used. This is because they can make it hard to grip the scooter’s handlebars.

Wear sturdy shoes when riding a scooter.

Ride only on smooth pavement. Don't ride on dirt, sand, gravel, or wet pavement .

Don't ride a scooter in the street, traffic, or at night.

Don't allow passengers on the scooter. Scooters are designed to carry only 1 person.

Wear protective gear that fits properly. This includes a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, and knee pads.

Wear sturdy shoes when riding a skateboard.

Don't skateboard in traffic. Instead, go to a skate park.

Don't hold on to moving vehicles while skateboarding.

Use a skateboard with wide wheels and a short board (deck) when learning to skateboard.

Make sure the helmet is right for the size and age of your child and that it fits well. It should be level on top of the head, about 2 finger-widths above the eyebrows. It should not rock back and forth or side to side. The strap should be buckled and snug under the chin.

If you can, take your child to the store to try on the helmet before you buy it. This helps you find one that fits well. It's also helpful because a child who chooses their own helmet may be more likely to wear it. If you can’t bring your child to the store, measure their head before going to the store.

Make sure there is a CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) sticker on the helmet. This means the helmet meets the CPSC standard for safety.

Don’t use a helmet that has been in a crash. A damaged helmet may not protect the head. Discard it and buy a new one.

Set a good example—wear a helmet yourself!