| Since their introduction to the public several decades | | | | ride as passengers. If you are a parent who owns |
| ago, ATVs have become increasingly popular. They | | | | and operates an ATV, consider following these rules |
| are very appealing to riders because of the amount | | | | to be an excellent opportunity to model the type of |
| of excitement one feels as they are riding. | | | | safe behavior you want your children to display. |
| People are now discovering that the whole family can | | | | Before you head out on your ATV adventure, be |
| enjoy the excitement of the ATV. On the negative | | | | sure to be careful when fueling the ATV. Burns are |
| side, though, people are often injured while ATVing, | | | | possible, and you want to avoid them. Be sure to use |
| and because of this, it is vitally important that adults | | | | the proper lifting methods when loading ATVs on and |
| do everything they can to ensure the safety of both | | | | off trailers. This will help you prevent strains and |
| themselves and their children. | | | | crush injuries. Make sure that you check the weather |
| To drive an ATVsafely, one needs to be strong, | | | | forecast before you go out. |
| skilled, and, most important, mature. This is why | | | | It is probably not a good idea to venture out if a |
| children who are younger than 16 years of age | | | | major storm is brewing. Also, make sure that you |
| should never operate an ATV. Adults must not | | | | check the condition of the trails. Depending on how |
| forget that it also takes strength and stamina to be | | | | mountainous the area in which you will be ATVing is, |
| a passenger. | | | | you may want to assess whether there is danger of |
| A rider who is sitting behind the driver must be able | | | | an accident. In the winter, always be sure to avoid |
| to hold on tight for a long period. Often, they must | | | | ATVing on ice if you are not 100% certain that the |
| hold on while the ATV goes over very bumpy | | | | ice is very thick. |
| ground at a high speed. The rule of thumb is that any | | | | You should also be able to identify the signs of |
| child who is younger than six years old should never | | | | hypothermia if you are ATVing in the wintertime, and |
| be allowed to ride as a passenger on an ATV. | | | | know what to do if it does occur. Make sure that |
| It is probably not surprising to discover that head | | | | you always travel with the right equipment. You will |
| injuries are one of the causes of both death and | | | | want to have well-insulated protective clothing, such |
| serious injury on ATVs. These serious injuries usually | | | | as goggles, waterproof suits and gloves, and |
| occur when ATVers crash, fall, or overturn while | | | | rubber-bottomed boots. |
| moving. It should be remembered that children can | | | | Of course, you need to make sure that everyone |
| also be injured if they are towed by an ATV during | | | | who will be riding is wearing a helmet approved for |
| winter months while they are on a sled, tube, tire, or | | | | ATVing. Another thing you can do to ensure the |
| other device that is being pulled by an ATV. | | | | safety of you and your family is to attach brightly |
| In Canada, statistics show that four children younger | | | | colored antenna flags to your ATV. You will definitely |
| than 16 years of age die in recreational vehicle | | | | want to do this if you are driving in a particularly hilly |
| related accidents each year. | | | | area. |
| So, the question becomes: how can ATVs be used | | | | Of course, the most important thing you can do to |
| safely so that they are enjoyed by each and every | | | | ensure your family's safety is to drive carefully. Use |
| member of the family who is old enough to do so? If | | | | wisdom and caution. If you have followed the |
| your family happens to own an ATV, be sure that no | | | | preceding guidelines, you will find that ATVing is a |
| one under the age of 16 is ever allowed to drive it. | | | | very exciting sport that can be enjoyed by members |
| Again, it is tremendously important that you never | | | | of your entire family. |
| allow any children younger than six years of age to | | | | |