You can't walk along the sidewalk here in NYC without seeing at least one kid on a scooter. Skinny scooters, tall scooters, wide scooters - you name it, they are here. Kids dash around commuters, pigeons, street vendors like they are in a video game dodging alien invaders. Scooters can go fast...really fast.
My daughter has a scooter, yet we are on the prowl for her next one. That is one key for scooter safety -- be sure the scooter fits the kiddo. Want other hints on scootering? I've got 'em:
-- Buy one that is age-appropriate scooter, not one you think she will grow into. Many provide room to grow with adjustable bars, but be sure the scooter "fits" your child now.
-- When scootering, keep away from water and speed bumps and other uneven surfaces. You would be surprised how one little wrinkle in the cement can catch a wheel and send your little one over the side.
-- Obviously, helmets have to be worn. As we have talked about already, it needs to fit properly. Even if your kids are goofing around with the scooter inside, they need to wear protection.
-- Wear the correct shoes. Solid shoes, not flip-flops or sandals or bare feet, are acceptable footwear.
-- You need to watch your kid as they scooter...especially the young ones. I read that kids under eight years old make up a quarter of all scooter injuries.
Do your kids have (or want) a scooter? What do they prefer -- bikes or scooters?
©iStockphoto.com/andras csontos
My kids don't have scooters yet,They need a bit more balance before we attempt that lol
my kids have several scooters, Razor scooters to be exact. They are pretty safe on them. They also have bikes, they would rather ride their bikes any day.
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- HeatherNYC
on May. 10, 2012 at 12:00 AM