Photo courtesy of familymwr on flickr.com
By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
Doctors at Hasbro Children's Hospital are urging families be cautious when using all-terrain vehicles or dirt bikes, saying they have seen "an unsettling increase" in the number of children with injuries from the motorized vehicles.
"Over the past month and a half we've seen ATV accidents as well as motor cross, basically motorized dirt bikes. We've been seeing them in an alarmingly increased rate in children, under the age of 16," said Dr. Jonathan Schiller, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Hasbro.
"Injuries included severe bleeding in the brain, and spine and long bone fractures, all requiring surgery. In one instance, multiple trips to the operating room and continuing care in a rehabilitation facility," he said.
He said youngsters often do not wear helmets or other protective equipment.
"We're seeing that this is not the case often, so the first thing I would recommend is helmet protection," Dr. Schiller said.
The Injury Prevention Center at Hasbro Children’s Hospital issued a statement, urging parents to never allow children to drive or ride on ATVs, but offers the following tips for all ATV riders:
· Attend an ATV driver’s safety course.
· Never use a 3-wheeler. They are unsafe and are no longer manufactured.
· Ride an age-appropriate ATV.
· Provide constant supervision if a child is operating an ATV.
· Never carry passengers. ATVs are designed for one person.
· Do not use ATVs on the streets or at night.
· Always wear an approved helmet with eye protection.
· Wear non-skid, closed-toe shoes.
· Wear long pants and a long-sleeve shirt.
· Never operate an ATV under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
