Scooter Safety Tips

 

Dear New Yorker:

With the holiday season upon us, one of the hottest selling toys appears to be the scooters that children can be seen riding all over the state as well as the country. Yet, adults should be mindful to the safety concerns associated with these scooters and purchase proper protective gear to prevent unnecessary injuries.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported that emergency room-treated injuries related to the popular lightweight scooters have increased dramatically since the spring, and that there were at least 30,000 scooter-related emergency room-treated injuries between January and November 15th. Most of the injuries have been to children under 15 years of age. At least two fatalities have been associated with the scooters - one adult and one child.

The CPSC recommends that riders, especially children, wear proper safety gear, including a helmet, and knee and elbow pads to help prevent injuries - the same safety gear that is recommended for in-line skating.

The scooters, which first came on the market in the U.S. last year, are newer versions of the foot-propelled scooters first popular in the 1950s. They are made of lightweight metal such as aluminum and have small low-friction wheels similar to those on in-line skates. Most injuries occurred when riders fell from the scooters. A significant number of the injuries were fractures and dislocations to arms and hands.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman 
The State Capitol 
Albany, New York 12224 
1-800-771-7755 
www.ag.ny.gov

Sincerely, 

Eric T. Schneiderman

The Attorney General joins the CPSC to provide the following recommendations for safety guidelines, which will provide important protection to your child:

  • Wear a helmet that meets the CPSC’s safety standard, along with knee and elbow pads. Helmets that meet the CPSC’s standard carry a label stating that they meet the CPSC’s standard.
  • Make sure that your child rides the scooter on smooth, paved surfaces without any traffic. Discourage children from riding on streets, or surfaces with water, sand, gravel or dirt.
  • Do not allow your child to ride the scooter at night.

Following these simple guidelines will allow you to rest assured that your child will return to school rather than the emergency room after the winter holidays.

 

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