Things Parents Should Know About Heelys
Although kids rarely go fast using the heel wheel, this sought-after class of footwear isn’t without its risks. They likely aren’t any more dangerous than skateboards, scooters, or inline skates, but kids do seem to get the same injuries when heeling. Research studies found that kids using Heelys occasionally experienced serious injuries including “distal radius fractures and elbow injuries” and that one patient even had a head injury that required surgery. In addition to putting kids at risk for injuries, studies suggest that walking in Heelys with the wheel (but not skating) can affect how your kids walk. The shoes cause “increased forefoot and rearfoot pressure” and “a diminished heel strike and a more rapid forefoot loading.”
How to Stay Safe
While many kids use their Heelys like inline skates, the problem is that few kids wear any safety gear when using their Heelys in skate mode. The manufacturer cautions that “it is highly recommended to wear a Heelys helmet, wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads when using your Heelys skate shoes.” To prevent injuries from Heelys, have your kids wear the recommended safety gear, remove the wheels when using Heelys in shoe mode, and don’t allow your kids to use their Heelys in skate mode in or near traffic, on uneven surfaces, on stairs, or in crowded areas. In addition, to reduce the risk of injury, consider the following:
Make sure your kids stagger their feet when heeling, with one foot in front of the other—if they keep both feet together, they will likely fall. Kids should always wear protective safety equipment, including a helmet, wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads when heeling, just like they should when using a skateboard, scooter, or inline skates. Don’t leave the wheels in your child’s Heelys all the time, because your child may be tempted to use the Heelys in skate mode more impulsively, including in parking lots, grocery stores, or the mall, and when they are less likely to be prepared and have protective gear. Don’t let your child use the Heelys in skate mode inside your home, because a slip-and-fall accident in the house might lead to broken glass, broken bones, or injury to other family members.
