Safety tips for in-line skating

• Protect your head by wearing a helmet; also use elbow and knee pads and wrist guards.

  Proper braking technique

• Engage your brain before you start your feet by getting instruction on controlling speed, turning, braking and stopping.

• Cars pose a deadly threat to skaters. Never skate in traffic, and it's not a good idea to skate at night.

• Roll on a smooth, paved surface, watching out for water, oil, gravel, marbles, banana peels, kids and other hazards.

• Sure it's cool to skate with headphones, but you won't be able to hear the anguished cry of Mr. Bicycle Racer coming round a corner and bearing down on you. Likewise, don't wear anything that obstructs your vision.

  SOURCE: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

See also:
• A feature story on in-line skating the safe way
• Related links out on the Web