Health Tip: Using an ATV

(HealthDay News) — All terrain vehicles (ATVs) may be a great form of recreation, but they should be used with care to prevent serious injury.

Children who are too young for a driver’s license shouldn’t be allowed to ride ATVs, the American Academy of Pediatrics says.

Children are involved in about a third of all ATV-related deaths and serious injuries, the academy adds.

Here are the academy’s suggestions for safer ATV use:

Don’t ride double. Most ATVs are designed to carry one person. Passengers can make ATVs unstable and difficult to control.
All ATV riders should take a hands-on safety training course.
Riders should wear a helmet, eye protection, sturdy shoes and reflective clothes.
ATV tires are not designed to grip pavement. Street use and night riding are strongly discouraged.
Flags, reflectors and lights should be used to make vehicles more visible.
Don’t use an ATV while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.