The Alberta Health Services is reminding all Albertans in the province to be mindful of safety on all-terrain vehicles going into the August long weekend.
The AHS is paying particular attention to children and youths under the age of 16. Officials say those riders have not developed the strength, skills, or judgment to operate such vehicles, including the machines designed specifically for youth.
Between May 1 and July 26, 2014, 38 Alberta kids have been injured on ATVs. 14 of those cases needed to be rushed to the hospital, and two ended up dying from their injuries.
“This data illustrates a devastating trend and one that we’ve seen for far too many years. One injured child is too many, yet from April 2013 through March 2014, more than 350 children under the age of 17 were seen in Alberta’s emergency departments for ATV-related injuries, and from 2002 to 2011, 23 children under the age of 16 died,” says Dr. Brent Friesen, Medical Officer of Health, Calgary Zone, in a release.
They advise parents of children 16 and under to ensure they do not drive or ride on an ATV.
Youths who are 16 years old or above are urged to take the following precautions:
- Received proper training from a recognized ATV instructor and have your training refreshed regularly
- Wear the required safety gear, and that includes helmets, a jacket, long pants, googles, boots, and gloves
- Plan ahead to make sure you’re prepared for inclement weather and any hazards on the trails
- Use your gear properly, so that means buckling up and making sure all your gear is in good working order
- Don’t drink and drive or do drugs before going out
Make sure others now of your trip plan too, so that they’ll have an idea of where you are if something goes wrong. Also, bring also a cellphone or working radio, along with a first aid kit.
More information on ATV safety and injury prevention can be found on the AHS website.
