The National Safety Council offers these safety suggestions:

• Inspect your skateboard before every use.
• Avoid skateboarding in the street, and follow all traffic and municipal laws.
• Protect yourself with safety gear, such as knee pads and a helmet.
• Avoid skating in crowded areas where others aren't skating.
• Never ride with more than one person on a skateboard.
• Never skateboard while holding on to a car, bike, etc.
• Practice falling safely on grass or another soft surface.

-- Diana Kohnle