Toddler scooters are beneficial for both kids and parents. Aside from being able to use it for some quality time, it can also help your children grow and develop. But are they safe for your kids? How can you make sure they’re safe?
Use this article to learn more about that. Find out what are the potential risks children may encounter when using a toddler scooter. Most importantly, learn the best safety tips to ensure your kid’s safety and protection when using a toddler scooter during their playtime.
Potential Dangers When Using Toddler Scooters
As a parent, you must ensure that your child is safe all the time, even when using a scooter. To do that, you should know the dangers associated with its use. Kids can get hurt, and falling down is the main reason it happens. But there are other risks that your toddler can encounter:
- Collisions with obstructions, cars, and pedestrians
- Cuts and bruises
- Head injuries
- Abrasions
- Bone fractures
Safety Tips to Follow When Using a Toddler Scooter
The best way to ensure that having toddler scooters is safe is to make sure it’s safe yourself:
Choose the Right Scooter
First off, make sure that your kid is using the right scooter. This means that it should be appropriate for their age and size. Specifically, make sure that it’s designed specifically for toddlers.
It should have a wide deck to offer stability to your toddler and should come in a weight and height that’s easy for your kid to control and maneuver. In line with this, it’s ideal to look for a unit with adjustable height handlebars. This way, you can adjust it as needed as your kid grows.
Make Them Wear Protective Gear
Have your toddler wear the right protective gear to ensure their fun time, safely and without worry. When doing so, focus on the most vulnerable parts, like the head, knees, and elbows. Make sure to get:
- Helmet
This is for the protection of your kid’s head. It should fit snugly and not be tipped back. It should also have straps and buckles, so it can securely stay in place when they wear it. You can also consider adding sizing pads to adjust the helmet in case you can’t find a good helmet.
- Knee Pads and Elbow Pads
Your toddler will most likely fall when they practice using the scooter. Cushion that fall using protective pads on their knees and elbows. These will protect them from getting bruises, bumps, and scratches when they fall. Plus, by making them wear it every time, they can develop a good habit for the future. This is useful in case they want to try more challenging rides like bikes or skateboards.
- Right Footwear
Have your toddler wear proper shoes when using it: sneakers or anything flexible and closed-toe. The shoes should also be well-fitting, so they don’t slip off or get caught in anything. Plus, ensure that the laces are secured tightly, so they don’t get tangled.
Always Supervise
If you’re completely worried about their safety, be there to watch them when they’re using the scooter. Make sure that you’re supervising them or a trusted adult supervises them. Leaving them unattended can result in injuries, especially if they’re still learning how to use the scooter. Also, being with them as they practice will help them learn more easily.
Teach Them Road Safety Precautions
If you think your toddler can understand traffic and road safety rules already, it’s wise to teach them the correct behavior when using the scooter outside. Here are some precautions you can teach them:
- If they’re riding on sidewalks or in areas with people, teach them to be aware of pedestrians and to yield the right of way.
- They should stop at driveways and ride where there are no vehicles.
- Don’t overspeed on busy streets to ensure that they don’t bump into someone or something.
- Look both ways before crossing the streets.
For easier comprehension, you can also buy a picture book or a handy poster. That makes it easier for them to remember what's right and wrong.
Review the Rules Before Going Out
Once you’ve taught your kid, make sure to review the rules—both dos and don’ts —before you go outside. If you have other family rules that should be followed, make sure you talk about them before heading out.
Also, be strict about implementing these rules and mention that there’ll be a penalty if they try to break the rule. For instance, if they don’t stay off the roads, you’ll warn them that you’ll go back inside and never go outside again.
Teach Proper Techniques
Make sure to teach and explain to your toddler how to properly and safely ride the scooter. This means discussing necessary things about safe speed, how to ride on different terrains, how to brake, etc.
Make sure that your toddler is well aware of all the correct riding techniques. This way, you can ensure that they’re safe when using the scooter, especially around other kids.
Perform Regular Scooter Maintenance
Always look over the scooter for any damage before using it each time. Even if you have the best, strongest scooter, it’s always smart to be careful for your kid’s safety. Check whether the bolts and joints are securely tightened. Using a damaged or broken scooter can expose your child to many dangers while using it.
Additionally, make sure to perform regular maintenance on the scooter. This is to ensure that you can avoid such damage. Clean it regularly and when you notice worn-out parts, you should immediately replace it with a new one.
Conclusion
Toddler scooters allow kids to enjoy a fun physical activity during their playtime. However, using them can be dangerous for them, especially if safety precautions aren’t properly practiced. So, make sure to take note of the tips above and tweak them a little if you want to enhance the results.
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