Teach your kids about ATV safety
Who wouldn't be proud if their kids are able to various stunts on their ATVs? But, while they are so engrossed in their stunts, are your kids also taught about the safety issues of ATVs? If it's been a long time since you went through the list of do's and don'ts for ATVs, isn't it about time that you "refresh" their memories on it? Perhaps even you yourself may have forgotten some of the important safety points about ATV riding - well, no worries, help is here. Enlisted below are some of the safety tips that you can talk to your kids before they go out for their next ATV riding excursion with their friends.
Wearing the right stuffs
Sometimes there is a tendency that we are so used to riding our ATVs that we think we can handle our machine well enough and do not need to wear any protective gears such as the protective helmets, goggles, boots, long sleeve shirts and long pants. We take it for granted that because we know and are confident about operating our ATVs, we can do away with all those stuffs. If you see your kids walking out the door of your home without being properly dressed for their ATV riding trip, stop them right on their tracks and make sure that they are wearing all the necessary protective gears before you let them out of your home. There have been many cases of head injuries due to ATV accidents because the riders were not wearing their helmets. Never let your kid out if they refuse to wear the "right stuffs".
Paved roads = off limits
Kids will be kids and they will always want to try to be adventurous with their ATVs - even to the point of riding them on paved roads, which is a BIG no-no. ATVs are built for off road riding, so be sure to remind your kids never to take the risks to ride on paved roads with their ATVs. Not only will they cause harm to themselves, they are also posing unnecessary danger to the other road users! If I find my kid riding on his ATV on paved roads, he'll be grounded for at least the next 3 months - no ATV riding! Merciless as it may sound, but at least it'll knock some sense into him for trying to risk his life and the lives of other road users!
ATV riding means no alcohol and no drugs
Even though kids these days know that alcohol and drugs are 2 things that they should never associate with riding an ATV or driving any other vehicle for that matter, there will be some who thinks that it is okay to drink a glass or two of alcoholic beverage or take drugs and go riding on their ATV. Always tell your kids that the consequences of drinking or taking drugs causes a slower reaction in their body systems, hence they are unable to detect danger as quickly as they would if they didn't drink or take drugs. So if they want to ride on their ATVs, it means there will be no alcohol and no drugs involved.
Keeping good manners while riding
There is a tendency that kids like to show off their riding skills, but not everyone appreciates an aggressive rider. Some kids are a little slow in catching up with certain stunts, so it's important (especially if your kid is a fast learner) that they do not try to make the "slower" ones feel inferior with their excellent riding skills. It would be nice if they stopped to help or give a tip or two to the slow learners. Good manners are welcome anytime, anywhere!
Last but not least, if your kid is trying out his or her new ATV, be sure that they are comfortable with operating the machine before you let them ride on their own. Adult supervision is highly recommended for young or new riders. And if you have a tip or two of your own about ATV safety that you'd like to share, put in your two cents' worth of ideas at the forums at www.jackel.com or www.atvoutdoors.net Remember, knowing about safety is one thing, practicing it is another - so don't just have the knowledge in your heads, practice it - go on, gear up and ride safely!
