http://www.usatoday.com/news/ndsmon09.htm
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Thousands riding scooters into the ER
By Sara Nathan, USA TODAY
More than 9,400 people have gone to hospital emergency rooms so far this year with injuries suffered while using new, lightweight scooters.
Nearly 90% of the injured were younger than 15, according to a report the Consumer Product Safety Commission will release today.
The number of injuries is rising along with the popularity of the scooters. More than 4,000 injuries were reported in August. That's more than the 3,281 injured in all of 1999 . Commission Chairman Ann Brown said the number of injuries could increase further as children start riding scooters to school.
Popular brands such as the Chinese-made Razor Kickboard Scooter weigh less than 10 pounds and can be folded. The scooters have small wheels similar to those used on in-line skates and do not have motors. They usually cost $80- $120.
Most of the injuries occurred when children fell off the scooters. Nearly one-third of the children broke or dislocated bones, and 28% suffered cuts.
"People don't realize when they look at this little piece of aluminum how dangerous it can be," Brown said. The commission estimates that 63% of the injuries could have been prevented if riders had worn protective equipment such as helmets, wrist guards and elbow and knee pads. CSM, one of the main wholesalers of the Razor brand, also recommended using safety equipment, as did other retailers' Web sites.
The manufacturers of several brands of scooters could not be reached for comment Monday.
The commission says the scooters should:
Be used on paved surfaces free of water, and, gravel or dirt and not on streets or other places with traffic.
Not be used at night.
Not be used by children under 8 without adult supervision.
[/quote]
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Thousands riding scooters into the ER
By Sara Nathan, USA TODAY
More than 9,400 people have gone to hospital emergency rooms so far this year with injuries suffered while using new, lightweight scooters.
Nearly 90% of the injured were younger than 15, according to a report the Consumer Product Safety Commission will release today.
The number of injuries is rising along with the popularity of the scooters. More than 4,000 injuries were reported in August. That's more than the 3,281 injured in all of 1999 . Commission Chairman Ann Brown said the number of injuries could increase further as children start riding scooters to school.
Popular brands such as the Chinese-made Razor Kickboard Scooter weigh less than 10 pounds and can be folded. The scooters have small wheels similar to those used on in-line skates and do not have motors. They usually cost $80- $120.
Most of the injuries occurred when children fell off the scooters. Nearly one-third of the children broke or dislocated bones, and 28% suffered cuts.
"People don't realize when they look at this little piece of aluminum how dangerous it can be," Brown said. The commission estimates that 63% of the injuries could have been prevented if riders had worn protective equipment such as helmets, wrist guards and elbow and knee pads. CSM, one of the main wholesalers of the Razor brand, also recommended using safety equipment, as did other retailers' Web sites.
The manufacturers of several brands of scooters could not be reached for comment Monday.
The commission says the scooters should:
Be used on paved surfaces free of water, and, gravel or dirt and not on streets or other places with traffic.
Not be used at night.
Not be used by children under 8 without adult supervision.
[/quote]