Childrens Electric Scooters

From LoveToKnow Kids

Childrens electric scooters are often popular holiday and birthday gifts. With the purchase of an electric scooter, however, come safety issues. Do you know the risks? How can your kids have fun and still be safe when using an electric scooter?

Safety Issues

Children's visits to local emergency rooms and doctors' offices typically rise around the holidays, and this is partly due to an increase in ride-on toys and other items that often present safety issues. Childrens electric scooters will certainly bring excitement and joy to a child on Christmas morning or at his or her next birthday, but what about the safety hazards that can accompany these scooters? With the fun of a scooter comes responsibility, and it is up to the parents to make sure that safety guidelines are reviewed and followed every time the scooter is used.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers explicit guidelines in regards to kids' use of electric scooters, and these include the following:

Scooters are not suitable for children under 12 years of age.
Safety gear, including helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads should be worn during the use of electric scooters.
Do not use scooters on uneven pavement and gravel.
Avoid the use of scooters in traffic and/or at night.
Wear sturdy and appropriate footwear when riding a scooter.
Know the local laws regarding scooter use.

Common Sense Suggestions

There are many other safety guidelines that should govern the use of electric scooters by children and adults. Most of these involve the use of common sense when operating a scooter as well.

Always watch out for other drivers, particularly when maneuvering past driveways and between parked vehicles.
Obey all traffic laws, including stopping at stop signs, red lights, etc.
If you do ride on the road (which may be against the law), be sure and watch in front of and behind you.
Do not attempt to ride or use the scooter in any other manner than its intended use.

Recalls

While it is suggested that you only buy an electric scooter from a reputable dealer, many consumers will often purchase a scooter from a discount or closeout establishment or a used scooter. If you do so, you run the risk of purchasing a scooter that has been recalled for a possible safety issue. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission maintains a list of scooter recalls, and you should check this list carefully before purchasing a scooter.

For example, about 20,000 Razor E300 electric scooters that were sold from January to October of 2006 were recalled due to a safety issue. Consumers were advised to stop using the scooter immediately and contact the company for a free repair kit. A voluntary scooter recall was also issued for the Razor PowerWing Three-Wheeled scooter sold between October 2007 through September 2008.

Riding Tips for Childrens Electric Scooters

If you do purchase an electric scooter for your child, keep the following riding tips in mind.

Read all of the instructions before you allow your child to ride the scooter.
Check all of the parts of the scooter before your child uses it each time, searching for loose nuts and bolts, frame and tire defects, and brake problems.
Teach your child how to operate the scooter safely, pointing out any safety issues and warning labels.
Never allow your child to carry anyone else or ride with anyone else on the scooter. Only one person should be on the scooter at a time.
Instruct your child to always wear visible clothing when riding his or her scooter.
Teach your child how to properly maintain his or her scooter as well.

Electric scooters and other ride on toys can be fun items for kids to enjoy, but they should always obey any applicable safety rules and riding tips.

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