Stay Safe on ATVs: Protecting Your Child from Injuries

ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles) are fun, but they can be dangerous for children if safety rules aren’t followed.

Children are at higher risk because they:

• Have limited physical strength and coordination
• Don’t have experience in controlling vehicles/ATVs
• May not use safety gear

• Head injuries (even with helmets)
• Broken bones and joint dislocations
• Abdominal(stomach) and chest injuries
• Cuts, scrapes, and burns

• Children under 16 years of age riding adult-sized ATVs
• Riders without helmets or protective gear
• More than one rider on an ATV that is made for one person

• Appropriate Ages for Riding: Children under 16 should not operate adult-sized ATVs.
• Wearing a Helmet: Always make sure your child wears a properly fitting, certified helmet.
• Supervision: An adult should always watch when children use ATVs.
• One Rider Policy: Do not allow more than one passenger on ATVs that are intended for one person.
• Riding in Safe Areas: Make sure your child stays on safe, designated trails—avoid roads and dangerous terrains.
• Full Protective Gear: Make sure your child wears gloves, goggles, long sleeves, and sturdy boots.
• Controlled Speed: Make sure your child rides ATVs at safe speeds and follows the riding rules.

• Stay Calm: check the child’s breathing and responsiveness.
• Stop Bleeding: Apply pressure to wounds using a clean cloth.
• Don’t Move a Broken Bone: Avoid unnecessary movement if a broken bone is suspected.
• Seek Immediate Help: Call emergency services or go directly to an emergency facility.

• Structured Training Programs: Enroll children in certified ATV safety courses. Children who ride should receive age-appropriate training from certified instructors. This can help reduce the risk of accidents due to inexperience.
• Physical Fitness Requirements: Kids should be strong enough to control an ATV.

• Vehicle Limitations with Technology for Safety: Choose ATVs with speed limiters and engine cut-off switches.
• Environmental Awareness: Educate children about the terrain and environmental conditions where they ride.
• Regular Vehicle Maintenance: Regularly check ATV brakes, tires, and engines.

Visit the Emergency Department immediately if your child:

• Hits their head and experience loss of consciousness, confusion, drowsiness or repeated vomiting.
• Has a broken bone. Signs of a broken bone include: swelling, pain, or a deformed limb.
• Complains of severe abdominal(stomach) or chest pain.
• Has uncontrolled/heavy bleeding.
• Has difficulty breathing.