Ohio ATV Accidents Involving Injuries In Children Increase During “Trauma Season”
Ohio ATV Accidents: Students may be packing up their books and teachers may be shutting down their classrooms for the summer, but emergency medical professionals are gearing up for “Trauma Season.” One of the leading injuries seen during this time are Ohio ATV accident injuries, especially in children in Ohio. According to the Ohio Division of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Trauma Season is the time when injuries peak during the summer months (May-August) for children ages 14 and younger. For instance, EMS statistics show there were 18,033 Ohio children ages 0-15 years transported by EMS during Trauma Season in 2011. [wkbn.com/2016/06/05/atvs-one-of-the-leading-causes-for-valley-injuries/, WKBN, June 5, 2016]
A U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) study on ATV accidents found that 13,617 ATV-related fatalities occurred between 1982 and 2014. Of the total number of fatalities, 3,098 involved children under 16 years, and 1,342 of those were younger than 12. The Mayo Clinic reports that children account for about one-third of all ATV-related emergency room visits and one-quarter of the deaths.
[cpsc.gov/Global/Research-and-Statistics/Injury-Statistics/Sports-and-Recreation/ATVs/2014atvannualreport.pdf, CPSC, November 2015]
[local10.com/digital-life-365/legal-news/atvs-too-much-for-kids-to-handle, December 14, 2015]
Keith Custard, an ATV safety instructor in Mercer County, told WKBN News 27 that Ohio ATV accidents involving adults are usually alcohol related, but with children it’s due to “inexperience and a lack of supervision.” Custard advises kids to have proper ATV protective equipment such as a helmet, gloves and long-sleeve clothing. Kids should never ride by themselves but have someone with them in case of an emergency. Custard also says parents should teach their kids about “limits” based on their capabilities as well as the ATV’s capabilities. If children are not capable of taking a hill, Custard says to “go with your instincts, don’t do it.”
[wkbn.com/2016/06/05/atvs-one-of-the-leading-causes-for-valley-injuries/, WKBN, June 5, 2016]
Dr. Beth A. Ballinger, a trauma surgeon at the Mayo Clinic, concurs that helping children to understand “what these machines do and the associated injuries is critical.” Todd M. Emanuel, R.N., injury prevention coordinator for Mayo Clinic’s emergency services in Rochester, Minn., said, “Most kids don’t have the size, physical strength and balance to control these vehicles, especially adult-sized ones. It’s just too much machine for small bodies.”
[local10.com/digital-life-365/legal-news/atvs-too-much-for-kids-to-handle, December 14, 2015]
The ATV Safety Institute offers safety tips for children and adults to prevent accidents:
•Always wear helmet, goggles, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves
• Never ride an ATV on a paved road
• Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Ride an ATV that’s right for your age
• Supervise children under 16; ATVs are not toys.
• Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed
According to the EMS, if children are taught early about good safety habits, visits to the emergency room can be avoided.
While the months of May through August are considered “Trauma Season”, It doesn’t have to be if everyone is mindful and uses common ATV safety tips when ride all-terrain vehicles.
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