Inline skating is a lot of fun and good exercise, and it's also an excellent off-season training program for hockey and skiing. But if you're not careful, accidents may happen. It's important to know how to prevent injuries when rollerblading.

To stay safe while inline skating, follow these guidelines.

Staying Safe & Preventing Injuries

What Safety Gear Do I Need for Inline Skating?

Always wear safety gear anytime you go rollerblading. Safety gear includes:

Helmet 

Use a helmet designed specifically for inline skating or skateboarding. These come down lower in the back, toward the base of the skull, for better protection in the event of a backward fall. Be sure that your helmet fits properly. Always fasten chin straps snugly under your chin. 

Skates 

Skates should fit comfortably, without being too big or too small. When putting skates on, make sure the feet are all the way back in the boot.

They provide good ankle support. To check if skates offer the support you need, feel the plastic of the boot. If you can squeeze it, the material is not strong enough. Always buckle up your skates. 

Knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards 

These items help prevent scrapes and also cushion the bones in case of a fall.

Light gloves

These keep your fingers safe.

Mouthguard 

A mouthguard will help protect your teeth and mouth in case of a crash or a fall.

Learning to Skate Safely

It can be tempting to just buckle up and go. But to help prevent injuries, consider taking lessons from a trained instructor or experienced skater before you try skating on your own. Other top tips:

• Always warm up and stretch before skating.
• When first learning to skate, pick an open space, such as an empty parking lot, an unused tennis court, or an area of smooth pavement with grass beside it. (The grass will give you a soft place to fall as you learn to skate.)
• Learn to stop properly before skating near others.
• Knowing how to fall is part of learning to inline skate. Make sure to wear the proper safety gear and practice falling on a soft surface. Crouch down as you fall so you won't have as far to tumble. Use your knee pads and wrist guards to glide to a stop. Relax while falling instead of going stiff. 
• When your skills have advanced a little, try an indoor or outdoor skating rink. When you're comfortable at a skating rink, try a skate park or a trail. 
• Never try to take on a ramp or a bowl until you're a good enough skater to do so safely.

Safe Outdoor Skating

It's important to stay alert while skating outdoors. Don't wear headphones or earbuds or anything else that might make you less aware of your surroundings. Make sure you: 

• Carry a few essentials with you, such as a form of identification, a cellphone, and a whistle to blow to attract attention if you're hurt or in a situation where you don't feel safe.
• Skate during daylight hours and with a friend, if possible.
• Try to use recreational trails. Avoid sidewalks and roads as much as possible. If you must use roadways, never skate in traffic. 
• Never get towed behind a car, bike, or other vehicle. This can lead to serious injuries. Also never walk a dog while skating since you may fall if the dog pulls. 
• Stay to the right when skating on sidewalks, bike paths, and trails. If you're going to pass another person, do so on the left and call out "On your left!" to let them know you're coming.

More Outdoor Skating Tips 

• Watch out for cracks, rocks, or debris. Pay close attention to avoid surprises.
• On hot days, bring extra water, and wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
• Never skate when it's raining or snowing, as this will make surfaces slippery and increase your chances of getting hurt.
• Know the symptoms of a concussion, such as headache, dizziness, or confusion. If you fall and hit your head or don’t feel well, stop and tell a coach (if there is one) or a parent right away.

What Else Should I Know?

Make sure to maintain your skates. The more you skate, the faster the wheels will break down. Check them for cracks or rough spots and rotate or change the wheels regularly. Keep the brakes in good condition too. Carrying a small skate tool can help you be ready to make repairs anytime you skate.

Safety in Other Sports

Safety matters whether you're inline skating or doing another activity. To help prevent injuries in other sports, check out these articles:

• Baseball Safety Tips
• Football Safety Tips
• Hockey Safety Tips
• Lacrosse Safety Tips
• Tennis Safety Tips