Are Heely's really dangerous?

[MelAnderson]

I saw a good deal on a pair of boy's Heely's at Sports Authority for $29.99 and it comes with 2 pair of wheels. I've heard horror stories of kids breaking their arms/legs. For people who have purchased them for their children, what have your experiences been like? Do you make your children where safety gear?

 

[SeaShelley]

My son has never had them, but I know several schools in my area ban kids from wearing them to school.

Just from personal experience, I can't stand to see kids in stores with them. To me, they seem like an accident waiting to happen !

 

[worm761]

Personally, I hate heeleys. But honestly, anything with wheels has potential to be dangerous. Did that keep you from getting your child a bike?
As far as safety gear, I would if they were just using them as roller blades. But I have never seen anyone wearing safety gear and heeleys at the same time.

 

[Crystal0608]

I think so. DH's grandma spend like $70 for each kid a pair when they came out and let them wear them home. They couldn't balance on them at all, so I hid the wheels & put in the plugs & they wore them as sneakers.

 

[greenchief]

Yes they are, especially when they are first learning. Just like learning to do any kind of activity. Once they learn how to skate in them they are good to go. But Christmas Day when every kid in the neighborhood got them, every child was bruised up. No broken bones though. Just depends on your child. I would not get them for a very young child. Also please do not them heely in stores. Good Luck on your decision.

 

[disneystacy]

Our school banned them.

Are they dangerous? imo its sorta like wearing roller skates in public places. I think they are very dangerous. I've had numerous kids almost crash into me at a local mall.

 

[MelAnderson]

Thanks for the replies. I would definitely make sure that DS6 is under my supervision when he wears them. I'll definitely note where they're banned. I'm thinking that the driveway and the park is probably the only places where he'll be allowed to use them.

 

[Caitsmama]

I personally think they are dumb.. I don't understand it.. I would not allow my dd to get them, for any reason, there is just no need, and yes, i would say they are dangerous and a saftey issue for everyone around them.

 

[Poohbug]

I personally think they are dumb.. I don't understand it.. I would not allow my dd to get them, for any reason, there is just no need, and yes, i would say they are dangerous and a saftey issue for everyone around them.

ITA, if the kids want to rollerskate, I will take them skating.

 

[*pixie*dust*]

WDW has banned them too.

A co-workers son broke his ankle on them. Not a nice clean break either.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Everyone has to decide for themselves, but I will NOT buy them for my kids. They have to balance on the one wheel by lifting up their toes. That just seems like a dangerous backwards fall waiting to happen. I also NEVER see kids wearing protective gear while wearing heelys in the mall, etc.

 

[princessmom29]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like a bike, scooter, or rollerskates kids should wear helments and use them is a place ment for them. My DD5 was knocked down and injured by a child on them in the mall last year. He did not even stop to see if she was ok. I have seen kids fall and hit their heads in stores and knock down elderly people as well. If a kid is going to get them they should be treated like roller skates and not used indoors. I do not blame WDW for banning them. I personally feel they are an accident waiting to happen.

 

[surfergirl602]

They are pretty much banned everywhere here. I've seen kids run into people, motor scooters, and trip on cement cracks. They leave disgusting marks on floors as well.

 

[XYSRUS]

They're as dangerous as anything else. Kids love 'em. They have to learn to use them properly and heely outside on an even surface. My kids use them all the time. They're a ton of fun if you know what you're doing.

 

[mjkacmom]

Depends on the child. My 7, 10, and 12 year olds have yet to fall, but they have good balance, and are not reckless with them. They're not allowed to wear them to school or to stores.

 

[peytonsmomie]

My kids love their heelys. They wear them in the low-carpet basement of our house, and on our driveway/sidewalk. A helmet is required anytime there are wheels in the shoes, and the shoes are not worn with wheels in public places. That's just good logic, in my opinion. They are no more dangerous than the other recreational gear they have (skooters, bikes, inline skates, skateboards, etc).

The problem arises when poor parenting allows the kids to wear them, without gear, or worse, without gear in public places. Anyone who would let their kid wear heelys in a store is an idiot. Flame away for my honesty, but I'll never change my mind. Simply put, if you wouldn't let your kid ride their bike there, then they shouldn't be heeling.

Beyond that, they're fun toys that get kids moving. With supervision and intelligent parenting, they're perfectly fine.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

Yes, but so is figure skating and my DD does that 5 times a week.

I figure if I let her jump in the air spin around 2 times and land on a 1/4 inch blade on ice, then she should be able to handle her heelys.

 

[Jeninindy]

Yes, I think they are very dangerous.

I would never let my kids rollerskate or ride a bike without a helmet, yet you see these kids everywhere, skating on these things without a bit of protection.

Not worth the risk in my mind.....too much can happen to quickly in life.

 

[Janomi]

My kids love their heelys. They wear them in the low-carpet basement of our house, and on our driveway/sidewalk. A helmet is required anytime there are wheels in the shoes, and the shoes are not worn with wheels in public places. That's just good logic, in my opinion. They are no more dangerous than the other recreational gear they have (skooters, bikes, inline skates, skateboards, etc).

The problem arises when poor parenting allows the kids to wear them, without gear, or worse, without gear in public places. Anyone who would let their kid wear heelys in a store is an idiot. Flame away for my honesty, but I'll never change my mind. Simply put, if you wouldn't let your kid ride their bike there, then they shouldn't be heeling.

Beyond that, they're fun toys that get kids moving. With supervision and intelligent parenting, they're perfectly fine.

I completely agree about the poor parenting skills. Knowing the risks, setting boundaries and taking responsibility of when/where/how your children use something that is purchased (or allowed to be used) is important. Not just for the sake of the child's safety, but also safety of others.

In keeping with the topic, I think Heely's are pretty neat and have considered purchasing them. That was right until I saw a mom wheeling down Main Street in DLR and taking a digger. Son and Husband looked back and kept on walking...

 

[my3sons77]

My kids wear them and have alot of fun with them.