Our children want Heelys to keep up with their friends. When I looked at them, there was a big warning label from the manufacturer to always use safety gear. What safety gear is needed?

Heelys are shoes for children that have rolling wheels in the heels. The child lifts the toes up and glides along on the heels. One foot is slightly in front of the other foot. Each shoe may have one or two wheels. The activity is called heeling.

Heeling seems like a fairly simple activity. The child stops by shifting the body weight to the front of the shoe. The wheels stop turning and the child can resume walking. But like all play equipment, problems can occur.

According to a study at a large city hospital, forward falls outdoors onto an outstretched hand are most common. Rocks stuck under the wheels can cause falls. Cracks in the road or sidewalk also throw children off balance. Inexperience (using Heelys less than one week) can be a factor. But even kids who have worn Heelys for more than one year injure themselves in falls.

It is highly recommended that children using heelys should be supervised and wear protective gear at all times. This includes helmet, forearm and kneepads, and gloves with wrist padding. More effort should be made to alert parents to the safety hazards of these shoes.