Safety fears over 'wheelie shoes'

The company has sold millions of pairs of Heelys

An accident and emergency consultant has warned of the dangers of the kids' footwear craze Heelys.

Almost a dozen children have turned up with injuries at a Belfast hospital after falling while using the trainers, which have wheels in the heel.

Some shopping centres and stores in the UK have banned Heelys because they feel they are too dangerous.

However, the Heelys company has said wheeled shoes had the best safety record of all wheeled sports.

The injury rate was only 2% of that for bike riding, it said.

A 12-year-old boy in the US died when he fell in front of a car while using the shoes, which cost about £60.

Now doctors at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry have begun audits of injuries sustained by children using them.

Data confirms that when used with the proper safety equipment, wheeled sports provide safe opportunities for children to exercise Mike Staffaroni Heelys

Altnagelvin A&E consultant Alan McKinney said there was "potential for some serious head injuries".

"Some of the fractures are really nasty and could be easily prevented if elbow pads and helmets were worn," he told the Belfast-based Irish News.

Since Christmas, the Royal Victoria Hospital has treated 11 children for injuries, including broken elbows, wrists and legs.

Safety concerns

Heelys were a summer hit for children and were on the top of many Christmas wish lists.

They were named in the top 10 of world's worst toys of 2006 by WATCH (World Against Toys Causing Harm).

A consultant has also warned about trampolines

However, Heelys said a study showed that wheeled footwear "is safer than nearly all other popular sports with the exception of table tennis, billiards and bowling".

The company has sold millions of pairs of Heelys, which are distributed in more than 60 countries worldwide.

Responding to safety concerns, company chief executive Mike Staffaroni said: "Data confirms that when used with the proper safety equipment, wheeled sports provide safe opportunities for children to exercise.

"In a day and age where childhood obesity is so prevalent, it's important for parents to get their kids active and exercising."

Last year, a consultant at Newry's Daisy Hill Hospital warned a "trampoline craze" across Northern Ireland could kill a child. Michael McCann said in just one month, almost 100 people had to be treated for injuries sustained using trampolines.

The medical expert said safety measures were important when using trampolines at home.