All-Terrain Vehicle Injuries Pose Major Health Risk to Children

The Injury Prevention Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital Offers Safety Tips

PHOENIX, AZ  – With fall temperatures and cool weather arriving in Phoenix, the Arizona Department of Health Services warns that unintentional injuries from ATVs are a major public health problem – especially among children under age 17.  Between 2003 and 2008 there has been an 89% increase in the rate of deaths from ATV accidents. In 2007, 1,223 Arizona children were hospitalized or seen in emergency rooms for a non-fatal ATV injury, and nine children died- six of whom were not wearing helmets. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 16 years should not be allowed to operate ATVs. “It is important for parents to decide if their child is ready to ride an ATV based on the child’s decision making skills, eye-hand coordination and strength,” explains Susan Bookspan, from Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s Injury Prevention Center.

Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s Injury Prevention Center provides safety tips for Valley families to prevent ATV injuries:

• Follow minimum age recommendations on the ATV warning label.
• If you chose to allow children to ride on an ATV, only allow them to do so with adult supervision.
• Make sure that the child wears a helmet, protective clothing and eyewear.
• Do not allow children to ride double as most ATVs are designed for only one rider.
• Only ride off-road as ATVs are less stable on paved roads.
• Children should never ride adult-sized ATVs because they cannot properly reach the throttle, gear shift or brakes.
• Plan your trip. Carry identification, know the route, and check the designated trail for hazards.
• Do not ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
• Take an ATV Riders Safety Course. Contact Arizona State Park (www.azstateparks.com) or the ATV Safety Institute (www.atvsafety.org) for more details.

Published on behalf of Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Phoenix Children’s Hospital is Arizona’s only licensed children’s hospital, providing world-class care in more than 40 pediatric specialties to our state’s sickest kids. Though Phoenix Children’s is one of the ten largest freestanding children’s hospitals in the country, rapid population growth in Arizona means the Hospital must grow as well. Phoenix Children’s recently announced a $588 million expansion plan to bring its special brand of family-centered care to even more patients and families. The plan includes a significant upgrade of the Hospital’s current campus, an aggressive physician recruitment effort, and new satellite centers in high growth areas of the Valley. For more information, visit the Hospital’s Web site at www.phoenixchildrens.com.

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