Wheel danger?

Safety questions prompting Midlands stores, centers to ban popular shoe

Ed Carney wishes Heelys had been invented a generation ago.

“They look like a lot of fun,” the Riverland Hills Baptist Church minister said.

But while the kid in Carney appreciates the popularity of the skating shoes, the adult in him recognizes the potential hazards. That’s why, like a lot of businesses and other organizations throughout the Midlands, Riverland Hills banned Heelys.

Those long church hallways were just too much temptation for kids who pop those wheels out with ease and roll along rather than walk.

Of course grocery store aisles, recreation centers, malls, airports, bookstores and restaurants are just as tempting.

Schools, knowing kids as they do, banned Heelys soon after they were introduced. But recently, such businesses as Food Lion, Barnes and Noble on Harbison Boulevard and the YMCA in northwest Columbia have posted signs saying Heelys are not allowed.

“It has to do with liability if they got hurt in one of our stores, as well as the fact that they interfere with our customers’ shopping experience,” said Kimberly Blackburn, corporate spokesman for Food Lion.

The edict for Food Lion is companywide.

What’s sad is businesses have had to ban the wheeled shoes because parents haven’t been responsible enough to monitor and control Heely abuse.

“I cannot blame local businesses at all for banning Heelys,” said Nancy Corbett, a mother of two boys, who are not allowed to wear the shoes. “They do not need the liability from careless kids and unconcerned parents.”

Columbiana Centre doesn’t have a rule banning Heelys, but they do forbid skating. Kids can wear Heelys, but they’ve got to keep the wheels in. When security guards see kids skating with their Heelys, they ask them to stop.

“We’re pretty active about making sure parents know kids shouldn’t be rolling with their shoes,” mall spokesperson Jen Mackie said, adding they haven’t had a big problem with Heelys.

Two of John Norton’s three sons have Heelys, but he simply doesn’t allow them to skate in stores or other inappropriate places. If they forget? “I just pop out the wheels,” Norton said.

Perhaps the kids wearing Heelys aren’t trying to misbehave — they just haven’t been told when it’s inappropriate to skate with their shoes.

“I find the kids using them really cute,” said Tom Quattlebaum, whose son no longer wears them. “I have never seen any kids wearing them that looked rough or acted offensive.”

Carney hates putting the damper on the kids’ fun, but can’t risk them bumping into others in the church’s crowded hallways.

“Anyone moving as fast as they move, in halls where there are senior adults ... they haven’t perfected their skills to the point they don’t make mistakes,” Carneys said.

And obviously many parents haven’t either.

Patterson writes an occasional column on parenting and family issues.

HEELY SAFETY

As the number of children wearing Heelys continues to grow, some people have raised concerns about their safety.

Yet several Midlands physicians said in January they find Heelys less hazardous than other popular children’s activities.

They said there are two prime times for Heely injuries: When kids first try the footwear and when they become experienced and attempt difficult tricks.

Here are some safety tips:

• Avoid uneven surfaces, including cracks and areas with debris.

• Stop by shifting weight from your heel and putting your toe down.

• Skate with one foot in front of the other. Skating with feet parallel could cause a fall.

• Wear protective gear while “heeling” — helmet, wrist and knee guards.

• Heel in open areas. Parental supervision is important.

*By LEZLIE PATTERSON, The State.com