| Electric scooters are a lot of fun for kids but just | | | | Mouth: The buckle on the strap should be flush |
| like bicycles, it is important to keep safety in mind. | | | | against the underneath of the chin. When the rider |
| Most injuries on scooters are from falls. Younger | | | | opens their mouth they should feel the strap snug |
| riders may have underdeveloped coordination | | | | on their chin and the helmet should be hugging |
| which can lead to a loss of balance. Younger | | | | their head. |
| children also have a higher center of gravity | | | | Padding |
| because of the larger proportion of their head. | | | | Safety padding is another good choice for easy |
| Both of these factors can contribute to the child | | | | protection. The most common pads are for the |
| falling from the scooter. | | | | elbows and knees. Wrist pads are also available |
| Riding surfaces can also contribute to injuries. | | | | which will protect your child's wrist if they fall and |
| Surfaces like gravel and sand could cause a rider | | | | try to catch themselves with their hands. Using |
| of any age to fall if they aren't careful. | | | | these pads can greatly reduce or prevent injuries |
| Fortunately, death from scooter injuries is very | | | | from falls. |
| rare. The most common injuries are bruises, | | | | Basic Coverage |
| scrapes, and the occasional broken bone. These | | | | An often overlooked aspect to protection is good |
| aren't fun and no parent would wish them on any | | | | coverage from regular clothing. Long sleeves and |
| child. The good news is that with the proper | | | | pants can prevent scrapes and cuts while closed |
| safety precautions, you can greatly reduce the | | | | toe shoes will protect your child's feet from injury. |
| chances of your child being injured on their electric | | | | Learning to Fall |
| scooter. | | | | An aspect to safety that most people don't think |
| Helmets | | | | about is knowing how to fall correctly. Make sure |
| The most common safety accessory for both | | | | your child knows that if they're losing their balance |
| scooters and bicycles is a helmet. Helmets are an | | | | to crouch down to lower their center of gravity. |
| inexpensive way to protect your child's well-being | | | | Of course, falling into grass is much better than |
| and reduce the risk of the most serious injuries. | | | | falling on concrete. And if the child isn't wearing |
| Either a regular bicycle helmet or a multisport | | | | wrist pads, be sure they know not to try to |
| helmet can be worn for maximum protection. The | | | | catch themselves palm out as this can injure their |
| most important thing when choosing a helmet is | | | | wrists. |
| making sure it fits the child correctly. To assure | | | | The final thing to keep in mind about electric |
| the proper fit, use the "Eyes, Ears, Mouth" | | | | scooter safety is just regular common sense. It |
| formula: | | | | may be impossible to totally avoid injuries as |
| Eyes: The rim of the helmet should be one or | | | | children grow up, but keeping these tips in mind |
| two finger widths above the eyebrows. | | | | will greatly reduce the possibility of injury as they |
| Ears: The straps of the helmet should form a "V" | | | | enjoy their electric scooters. |
| beneath the ear lobe. | | | | |