Starting October 15, Nintendo will start mailing out jackets to owners of remotes used with the popular Wii system. Owners must request the jackets. 

The company will also begin providing the jackets as standard equipment with all new Wii remote units shipped after that date.

Those Wii owners who purchased a system prior to the deadline can get free Wii Remote Jackets for their existing Wii remotes. To get the free jacket, users have to go to the Internet and provide the serial number(s) from their remote units. The serial number is located on the back side of the Wii console system. It begins with two letters, followed by several numbers. 

Blame the need for jackets on over-enthusiastic players. The company says that the jackets are being offered for safety purposes. There have been reports of potential injury when players whip the Wii around as they play games. If they lose control of the unit and it flies out of their hands, it could potentially hurt someone else.   

Nintendo issued a recall this past December to offer stronger wrist straps for its remotes after there were reports of the remotes coming loose and flying into TV sets.

Those who want to request a Wii Remote Jacket for their system need to visit the Nintendo web site at http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/jacket/jacketrequest.jsp .