Health Updates
Scooter Safety
Todd Zeliewski couldn't wait until he had saved up enough
to buy his very own kickboard scooter. After all, Todd didn't
want to be the last kid in his class to own one.
One thing Todd hadn't counted on was being the first
kid in his class to end up with his leg in a cast! Like so
many other unwary teens bitten by the "kickboard scooter
bug," Todd discovered the hard way that what you don't
know about kickboard scooting can hurt you.
Kickboard scooters, are the vehicle of choice among teens.
They're a great form of transportation. The scooters are light,
consisting of an aluminum or lightweight-steel frame and small
inline wheels. This makes them easy to carry when not being
ridden. Plus, many models are collapsible, making them easy
to store.
From a safety standpoint, the biggest design flaw of these
scooters also happens to be one of their biggest selling points.
That is their lightness. Talk to anyone who has spent some
time on one, and they will tell you it's not a matter of if
you fall, but when.
How can you become a member of the kickboard scooter without
becoming another injury statistic? This article will spell
out safety features you need to look for when shopping for
a kickboard scooter. You will also read about how to lessen
the damage to yourself and innocent bystanders in the event
of a fall.
Wheel Size
When shopping for a kickboard scooter, bring along a tape
measure. All of these vehicles have small wheels, but some
brands have smaller wheels than others. The size of the wheels
can make quite a difference when you hit a stone, twig, or
crack in the pavement. According to consumer safety specialists,
the smallest acceptable wheel diameter is 3-1/2 inches. Anything
smaller, and you're asking for trouble.
Keep the following in mind.
- The smaller the wheels, the greater the shock transferred
to you, the rider.
- Tinier wheels are more likely to cause falls and unintentional
injuries.
Brake the Scooter (Not a Leg)
Most scooters come equipped with a foot brake. Usually, this
takes the form of a metal fender that extends back and upward
from the scooter base (see the picture). You press down on
the fender with your back foot, which in turn presses the
fender against the wheel. This action slows the scooter down
and eventually stops it.
The problem for most inexperienced riders is that they tend
to clamp down hard on the fender when they want to brake.
This causes the scooter to skid out of control. Spills resulting
from the rider being thrown forward when stopping abruptly
is the leading cause of scooter-related injuries. Practice
braking on gentle slopes before attempting to take your scooter
down a steep hill.
It May Come as a Shock
You can hedge your bets even further by wearing protective
gear. This includes
- a safety helmet,
- wrist guards, and
- elbow and knee pads.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates
that more than 60 percent of injuries could be prevented or
lessened in severity if protective gear were worn.
Use Your Head—Use a Helmet
A helmet is especially important. It can mean the difference
between a safe ride and one ending in brain damage, paralysis,
or even death. Use the same type of helmet you would (or should)
wear when a bicycle, skateboard, and inline skates. Make sure
the helmet fits properly and that it has an approval sticker
similar to the ones pictured at the right, from the Snell
Memorial Foundation. That way it can absorb the force instead
of your brain. Your helmet: Don't leave home without it!
Just the Facts
- When shopping for a kickboard scooter, what is the smallest
wheel diameter you should accept? Why?
- Why is important to practice using the fender brake before
attempting steep hills?
Beyond the Facts
- Some newer models of kickboard scooter come equipped with
a red blinking light attached to the base of the vehicle.
Explain how this safety feature might benefit the rider.
Applying the Facts
Below are portions of two online ads for kickboard scooters.
Read both, then answer the questions that follow.
Ad #1: We offer the best prices over all the competition.
We recommend the use of a helmet and protective gear.
Ad #2: FREE Carry Bag and Wrench Set (with any scooter
purchase!). ...The most popular of all scooter models is now
available in a variety of colors. Don't be fooled by imitations!
What further information would you need in order to judge
which seller offers the better product? Which seems to be
the more reputable, and why.
