June 11, 2007 Hello! Maybe you've seen them. Maybe you've worn them. Maybe you've had someone zip by you "heeling" down the hallway at school or through the mall. With millions of pairs sold worldwide, and no sign of their popularity declining, it looks like Heelys are here to stay.For those who enjoy wearing them, this is great news. For others, this is cause for concern.
"The consumer watchdog group 'W.A.T.C.H.' – which stands
for World Against Toys Causing Harm–dubbed Heelys the
most dangerous toy of 2006; and safety experts say this
craze has been wheeling kids into hospital emergency rooms.
In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission says it has
received about 70 reports of serious injuries connected to
these shoes and one report of a Heely-related death. ..." Most people don't consider what safety precautions they will need to take when putting on their shoes, and many consider Heelys as nothing more than shoes.
"The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
stresses the importance of protective gear while engaging
in a particularly new phenomenon...heeling. Heeleys -- also
known as roller shoes or street gliders -- are shoes that
have a wheel on the heel. These types of shoes fall into
the category of inline skates, which qualifies them as a
sport, and carries warnings for their use including wearing
protective gear, such as wrist guards and helmets to avoid
injuries. According to James H. Beaty, MD, a pediatric
orthopaedic surgeon and president of AAOS, 'Orthopaedic
surgeons are in fact seeing children come into their
practices with injuries due to heeleys, mostly of a
fracture-type within the hand, wrist, or elbow.' The US
Consumer Product Safety Commission reports over 1,600
emergency room visits in 2006 due to wheel and roller
shoes. In addition, balancing on heels can strain feet and
Achilles tendons, and orthopaedic surgeons are also seeing
heely-related ankle injuries." The surgeons who see the results of the injuries are concerned and want those using Heelys to be more careful and wear protective gear. Those who make the shoes, tend to agree. The following is some of the safety information that can be found on the Heelys website:
"When using your Heelys skate shoes in the 'walking' or
'shoe' mode, always remove the wheels. ... Heelys CAN be dangerous, and safety precautions CAN be taken to reduce the risks. Heelys can also be used to help kids get active, get some exercise, and have some fun in the process.
"It's a Heelys party, held the first Saturday of the month
at Mountainside Fitness in Mesa. For two hours, kids can
skate in a safe space, learn to be courteous of others and
get active. 'The main rule is to have fun and learn to get
along with others,' says Gina McDonough, fitness director
at Mountainside Fitness in Mesa and the brains behind the
party. ... McDonough's inspiration for the party came from
her own daughter, Kori, 9.
Questions of the Week: Please email me with any ideas or suggestions. I look forward to reading what you have to say. Cindy |
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