An estimated five million scooters will be sold this year and according to the U.S. Product Safety Commission 26,000 scooter-related injuries were reported before the end of December 2000! 90 percent of those injuries were to children 14 and under. The Consumer Product Safety Counsel also received reports of two deaths tied to scooter injuries. Several elementary schools are discussing ways to ban kids from riding scooters to school. Newspapers across the country headline that "Scooters Lead to ER Visits"!
Before you buy into the media hype about the dangers of the most popular Christmas gift last year, you should educate yourself by considering the statistics of other play equipment commonly used by these same kids.
In 1999 U.S. Statistical Abstract reported 566,085 bike related injuries. Skate board related injuries from that same year were numbered at 35,751. Doubling those statistics were playground equipment injuries at 73,933 accidents. If you are not sick of statistics yet, consider that there were 63,600 injuries on all-terrain vehicles.
What does this tell us? To wear a helmet! Wearing a safety helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent! These statistics can help educated parents (a.k.a. Consumers) realize that scooters are no more dangerous than other play equipment if you follow basic safety guidelines.
Instead of trying to ban "potential" hazards I suggest we educate ourselves as parents and our children. Use wisdom and remember safety equipment without buying into media hype.
About The Author
Author Rachel Webb is a happy consumer of 3 mini-scooters! Her 4 children help her design 100% Magnetic Fridge Calendars, guaranteed not to slide off when the kids slam the fridge door! Visit: www.note-ables.com or e-mail www.note-ables.com for a $2 off coupon!
limousine airport Glendale Heights .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareIf I had a dollar for every time I persuaded... Read More
Volunteering together is a fantastic way to spend time as... Read More
Back in college, I wrote for a five-day-a-week, award-winning campus... Read More
In the movie, Finding Nemo, Nemo's father, Marlyn asks the... Read More
There is no doubt that the benefits of being a... Read More
Traditionally, babies have been named at a christening/baptism.... Read More
Ritalin has been shown through the years to be very... Read More
John Bishop's Goal Setting for Students.comParents ? Minimize Homework Hassles?It's... Read More
I have always found the notion of toilet training a... Read More
A parent writes in, ``We are having a hard time... Read More
Sitterphobe "I never have a second to myself," this mother... Read More
In today's fast-paced society, many families depend on some form... Read More
I'm sure many of you have heard that old Hallmark... Read More
Since so many would rather avoid the use of stimulant... Read More
Every school year parents and students dutifully trudge through the... Read More
Strattera came out around January of 2003, and is becoming... Read More
Moms and dads, are there times you think that parenting... Read More
While on a recent trip to the grocery store, I... Read More
"Where did he come up with that?" Kids often amaze... Read More
We all wish that our children should not smoke or... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 31,... Read More
Chiladult? Whatever you call them, teenagers are a changin' and... Read More
Q. My teenage son is turning 16 early next year... Read More
"There is nothing new under the sun," states Ecclesiastes 1:9.... Read More
Join a growing number of parents and teachers!Fact: Last year,... Read More
Lincoln Stretch rentals Willowbrook ..What Children Look for in a Friend?Is this child fun... Read More
Any parent whose baby has suffered from colic can tell... Read More
Are men to blame for the divorce problem in this... Read More
It's sometimes difficult to find ways to be involved with... Read More
While on a recent trip to the grocery store, I... Read More
On a recent Saturday evening, I noticed a young teen-age... Read More
Did you know that cooking with your kids is a... Read More
Do you think you really know your child? I don't... Read More
In an actual war, to be attacked means to have... Read More
Anyone can splurge on a formal dinner or a pricey... Read More
Moms, did you ever question your value as a role... Read More
When you think about it, probably the one thing that... Read More
How are parents to know they are doing the right... Read More
If you're looking for toys that are both fun to... Read More
MYTH: If you have not parented as well as you... Read More
The subject of competition is one that provokes some pretty... Read More
Sometimes dreams really can come true! May 8th - 11th,... Read More
As with everything, names go through cycles of change with... Read More
Some years ago when touring the Scottish Highlands, a man... Read More
Question 1 "How do I get more time to play?"... Read More
What should the goals for counseling be when the patient... Read More
Tripping over the shoes and toys that seem to clutter... Read More
Do you praise your child when he fulfils a basic... Read More
When was the last time you and your kids rolled... Read More
"Setting the alarm on Sunday mornings is inhuman?..God should know... Read More
Parenting |