Dangerous vehicle

One of the coolest ways to get around may also be one of the most dangerous. That's what the government is saying about scooters, those silver motorized or foot-powered fold-up vehicles¹ that are popular with so many kids and grown-ups.

Throughout² the USA, there have been more than 9,400 scooter injuries³ so far this year, reports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the branch of government that makes sure the products we buy are safe to use. Most of those injuries were to kids under the age of 15 who fell off their scooters. Twenty-nine percent of these injuries were fractures⁴ and dislocations, mostly to kids' arms and hands.

More than 4,000 scooter injuries were reported by emergency rooms⁵ in August alone. That's a big jump from the fewer⁶ than 500 injuries in May.

Scooter Safety
With kids heading back to school this week, the commission is sending out some special scooter safety tips to prevent⁷ these injuries. "These scooters are the 'in' thing with kids heading back to school," said Ann Brown, the commission chairman. "Unfortunately⁸, many kids are ending up in hospital emergency rooms instead of classrooms. Wearing safety gear⁹ can help prevent injuries."

Here are the commission's ideas for safer scooter riding:

• Wear a helmet along with knee and elbow pads¹⁰ to help prevent injuries.
• Ride your scooter on smooth¹¹, paved surfaces without any traffic. Avoid streets, or surfaces with water, gravel¹², sand or dirt.
• Do not ride your scooter at night.

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