Keep Your Kids Safe On Scooters

Electric scooters are all the rage for kids. Perhaps your child has been asking for a scooter or perhaps he has had a scooter for a while and wants another one to add to the collection. Scooters are a fun way to encourage your child to get active and spend time outdoors. However, it is important to have fun safely.

It doesn’t matter which brand of scooter your child is using, safety protocol is very much the same for each scooter. Firstly, it is important to ride a scooter in the appropriate area. For example, riding a scooter on the highway or down the street is not a good idea at all. While this might seem like common sense, many children and teens can be seen riding scooters on the roads.

A common excuse for this might be that there is no where else to ride. Riding on the street is never a good idea even if it appears to be the only place to ride. For that matter, riding a scooter in a parking lot can also be dangerous. Parking lots can be dangerous because cars are pulling in and out of spaces and driving erratically. Because of this, there is an increased likelihood that kids on scooters can get injured. In addition, some store owners post signs stating that scooters and skateboards are not allowed in the parking lots.

The best place to use a scooter is in a community park or skate park. While it can be an inconvenience to drive your child to the park to use the facilities, at least you will know that your child is safely enjoying the great outdoors. Many parks have a designated scooter area, including paved walkways which can be a great place to ride a scooter. Another safe place to ride a scooter is on a paved driveway. If you have a long, paved driveway, your children are in luck!

When your child is riding his scooter, it is important for him to wear proper safety gear. This may include a helmet as well as knee pads. Some parents want their children to wear gloves in order to protect their hands if they should fall off the scooter.

There are many different helmets available today in a variety of styles and colors. While your child may be reluctant to wear a helmet, allowing him or her to choose the helmet may help. It is important to try the helmet on your child before purchasing it in order to ensure that it fits properly. Then, adjust the straps to make sure that the helmet fits snugly. Finally, inspect the helmet to make sure that there are no cracks or dents in the helmet. Some parents like to share helmets to cut down on expenses. This may work if your children are similar in size, if the helmet is in good repair, and if the helmet hasn’t been involved in an accident. A damaged helmet should always be properly disposed of.

By using these tips, your child should safely be able to enjoy the great outdoors on his scooter.

Safety tips for electric scooters.

Electric scooters are a great way for kids to have fun and excitement. It is also a fun way to transport them around the neighborhood. Whatever the scooter brand you’re buying, you need to understand certain safety tips to help keep you safe and protected. Before you decide to ride on your scooter there are certain things you must first consider before you begin your fun.

First you must check the manual. This is to ensure that you understand the exact way to ride your particular scooter since instructions may vary with brands and models. Then you should double check all electric connections, to ensure they are secured. Before you begin every single ride, make sure all the steering clamp bolts and fasteners are tight.
Familiarize yourself with the way the handle moves and ensure that you stay in the middle of the scooter; not towards the front or the back. You should also check the scooter’s belt tension and chain. It should not be too tight or too loose, but snug. When you’re adjusting make sure you don’t overdo it. Over-tightening the chain can make your scooter riding unsafe since it may snap while you’re riding.

You should also check the brakes and ensure that they’re working properly. The brakes should respond properly when you squeeze the brake levers. Anytime you apply the brakes when the motor is on, the cut-off switch of the brake should halt the motor. If your scooter hit a hard surface like a tree, a wall or a curb on the road, check the fork and handlebar of the scooter for any broken connections. Develop the habit of checking your scooter before you begin every ride.

Scooter tires are also very important. Check your electric scooter’s tire regularly ensuring that there is no excess wear, and the tire pressure is okay. If the pressure is not okay, then re-inflate it. You should know that the air at gas stations is meant for cars so when you use it, make sure you use tire gauge so the pressure will not be too much. Then you should ensure that you wear every necessary protective gear. The most important is the helmet, don’t ever forget or refuse to use the helmet when going for a scooter ride. Also you must wear knee and elbow pads to protect you from lacerations in case you fall. Ensure that all safety gear that you’re using is ANSI, SNELL, ASTM or CPSC approved. Never ride your electric scooter in bear foot, wear lace-up boots with rubber soles.

In general, do not allow another person to ride with you on your scooter; a scooter is meant for one person at a time. Ride on a smooth surface and keep away from vehicles on the road, whether they’re speeding or not. To prevent your scooter from sudden stop, avoid drainage grates and sharp bumps. When riding, maintain hold on handlebars at all times, and keep toes and fingers clear of the hinge during folding and unfolding. Obey all scooter riding traffic laws and never ever try those stunts you see professionals do on TV. Most importantly, watch your speed. Remember you’re only having fun and not competing for a championship.

Electric Razor Scooter Safety Tips

It is vital to make sure your Razor scooter is running as its best before riding it. There are certain checks you should perform to ensure your safety and make sure your scooter is running properly.

First, check to ensure all electrical connections are secure. Make sure all fasteners and the steering clamp bolts are tight before every ride. You should never hear any rattling sounds or sounds from loose or broken parts on your scooter.If you are ever unsure whether everything is secure or if you hear noises, you may need an experienced mechanic to check it out for you.

Always check the Razor scooter’s chain or belt tension. It should taut, which means not tight but snug. If you adjust the chain too tightly, it could break or snap while riding and this is not safe.

Check the scooter’s brake system to make sure they are functioning properly. When applying the brake lever, the brake should react properly. When you apply the brake with the motor on, then the brake cut-off switch should halt the motor. Always check the handlebars, frame and fork of the scooter for broken connections. It is rare to have a broken frame, but it is possible, especially if the scooter has hit a curb.

The scooter tires are also important, just as car tires are important. Inspect for excess wear and check tire pressure. Re-inflate the tires when necessary. One important thing to remember is that the air supplies at the gas station are meant for car tires.

If you decide to use it for scooter tires, use small burst of air and use a tire gage to measure the pressure. If you get too much are in the tire, immediately release the excess pressure. Properly inflating the tires is important to ensure you or your child has a safe ride.

Always wear proper protective gear. This includes an approved helmet and knee and elbow pads. Wear lace-up shoes with rubber soles and never ride barefoot or in sandals. Keep your shoelaces tied and out of the way of the motor and wheels.

If the scooter is for your child, make sure they have the skill, maturity and ability to follow the rules before letting them go out alone. Always ride on smooth surfaces and away from other motor vehicles. It is never a good idea to ride the scooter at night, even if you are a skilled or adult rider.

Must Have Safety Gear for Scooter Riding

If you purchase an electric scooter as a gift for a child, it is important to remember that the child will need the right safety gear before riding. Children are ready to ride right away, so it is best to buy the safety gear when buying the scooter.

If you do not, then you and the child can go together and pick out the safety gear before their first ride. There are four pieces of gear that a child must have before riding the scooter. Never allow your child to ride even a short distance without wearing proper safety gear.

The helmet is extremely important when riding any type of vehicle. You must protect the child’s skull and brain from injury. Scooters are generally pretty safe, but accidents happen such as hitting a crack in the sidewalk, a curb or another vehicle can throw the child from the scooter.

If the child’s head strikes a hard surface or the curb this can result in a brain injury if the head is not properly protected. The helmet surrounds the head and acts as a barrier to prevent the skull from direct impact with a hard surface.Therefore, it protects the brain from injury.

Knee pads and elbow pads are both important to protect the knees from injury. Although, a child can learn to ride the scooter fairly easily, there still may be some falls and accidents early on. The first few rides do not always go smoothly, so the child must be protected from little accidents.

A child that endures numerous scraped knees or elbow injuries are not likely to be persistent in learning to ride. The child may become discourage with the scooter, but if the knees are protected and safe from injury the child feel more confident in continuing to learn to ride.

Parents may not realize it, but the shoes the child wears while riding is also important. The child needs to wear tennis shoes that fit snuggly. Never allow the child to wear sandals or ride barefoot because this can result in injuries to the feet and toes. Wearing tennis shoes also help the child stay balanced and keeps his feet from slipping on the scooter.

It is also important that the shoelaces remain tied to avoid tripping and getting the laces wound up in the motor. Safety gear is a must for keeping your child safe on an electric scooter.

Safe Places to Ride an Electric Scooter

When deciding whether to buy an electric scooter for your child, you must take your location and the areas available for riding into consideration before the purchase. The child will need dry smooth surfaces to ride their new toy.

There are several good places to ride that are safe for your child in and around neighborhoods. The most obvious choice is the sidewalks in the neighborhood. Because of the low speeds they travel, smooth sidewalks are safer than the road when riding. It also keeps the child away from other vehicles that could cause accidents and dangerous situations.

Nearby parks are also appropriate places for your child to ride his new scooter. Parks have paved sidewalks and trails that are perfect for riding the scooter. Just make sure you teach your child to be courteous to others along the trails. It is very likely the child will meet walkers, bikers and joggers along the way.

The scooter’s quiet motor means your child can hear as well as see others and be aware of his surroundings.  Skate parks are also an option. The child must know the rules for the skate parks and if they allow motorized scooters. If so, this is a great place for riders who want to learn to do some tricks on the scooter.

Parking lots are a good choice, but they should be empty, so the child would have to ride when the lot is not in use by vehicles. Some neighborhoods may have a vacant lot nearby giving your child a large open space to ride. Not everyone lives in a neighborhood with sidewalks or near parks and parking lots.

For children living in rural areas, they can ride their scooters on packed dirt trails. You must make sure the trail contains hard-packed dirt and no gravel or rocks.  Gravel and loose dirt pose a safety risk for your child as the scooter is meant for these conditions.

Sometimes it takes some creative thinking to come up with suitable areas to ride a scooter. Your home can be an area safe for riding if you have a large patio or unfinished basement. Both are great places to ride on rainy days as well. Other places may be community places such as outdoor tennis courts, basketball courts or hockey rinks. These areas are only an option if the weather conditions are favorable for riding.

Just use common sense when choosing an area for your child to ride and you will find some suitable places.

Are Motorized Scooters Safe?

Kids love motorized playthings and razor scooters are all the rage for kids these days. However, parents may fear the scooters are too dangerous because of their size and speed. The Razor e100 Electric Scooter is a good first scooter for ages eight and up.

The scooter’s maximum speed is about 8 miles per hour and it takes one good kick to get it going. Once the scooter reached three miles per hour the motor starts. For added safety, there is a standing surface large enough for both feet to fit safely on the scooter, and it is designed to carry a maximum of 120 pounds of weight.

It is safe for kids since its maximum speed is approximately 8 miles per hour. At this speed, there should be no worries of your child being catapulted from the scooter.

As with all toys that are motorized and ridden outdoors, always wear protective gear to ensure your child’s safety. A helmet and pads for the knees and elbows is essential. Kids love the feature such as a storage compartment under the seat and parents love that it is easy to assemble and practically anyone can do it. There are only three parts and once the handlebars are fastened with one screw on the inside and one screw on the outside, it is finished.

The scooter has a battery that needs to plugged in to an electrical outlet to charge, but do not fear, it is safe for children to plug in themselves. The motor will need charged for 18 hours for the initial charge and then eight hours thereafter. Once the battery if fully charged, the scooter can travel up to ten miles or about one hour before needing recharged and the child can still ride it manually.  Kids are not the only ones who can ride the scooter. If the parents are light enough they can also enjoy a ride on the scooter.

There are a few negatives. The big one for children is that you cannot ride it when the weather’s not permitting, but since it is battery powered, if you have a large inside space, the scooter can enjoyed inside as well. It is not the fastest scooter out there and it may be a bit sluggish going uphill, especially when the battery power is getting low, but it is the perfect speed for children to enjoy it safely. If you are buying it as a gift, keep two things in mind. One the battery must be charged a full 18 hours before first use and it comes in a box with the picture of the scooter on the side, so you’ll need to hide the box.

The Importance of Wearing Safety Equipment

When your child gets their new scooter, they are going to want to ride it right away.  It will be exciting to get a new way to get around outside.  So, don’t forget to invest in some safety gear if your child does not already own protective equipment.  For an electric scooter there are four main items a child should wear to be protected from accidents on the scooter.

1. The Right Shoes

Sturdy shoes (like well-fitting tennis shoes) may seem like a no-brainer.  However, they are very important.  Having your child wear shoes that cover their feet and stay on well will prevent injuries to the feet and toes.  The right shoes will also help keep falls from happening as it is easier to maintain balance in comfortable, sturdy shoes.

2.  A Helmet

Wearing a helmet is essential when riding a motorized vehicle of any kind, even a kid’s electric scooter.  Though children’s electric scooters are actually pretty safe, accidents can happen.  Hitting a hole, a building, or another vehicle could jolt the child from the scooter.  This sudden movement could result in a head injury if your kid hit a stationary object, moving vehicle, building, or the sidewalk.  With a helmet on, the skull, and therefore brain, is protected from a fall like this.

3.  Knee Pads

Kids’ electric scooters are pretty easy to navigate and learn to use when they are used by the appropriate age child.  During the learning process, there are a higher number of falls.  Knee pads can be a big help.  Scraped knees might make a child stop trying to learn or make them too tentative on the scooted.  Knee pads protect them from injury and help them maintain a confident riding manner.

4.  Elbow Pads

Wearing elbow pads while riding an electric scooter perform the same function as knee pads.  When a child falls, the knees and elbows are the most like impact areas, depending on the direction of the fall.  Elbow pads help avoid painful scrapes and bruises.

Modern protective gear is stylish as well as functional.  You can even find helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads that coordinate with your child’s scooter.  Licensed character protective gear is also available for kids who want to suit up with their favorite TV star or cartoon character.  Staying healthy and safe help maintain the excitement and joy a child first experiences when they open their electric scooter for the first time.

Coordinating Safety Gear with Your Scooter

If you decide you are going to purchase an electric scooter for your child, you will want them to have the appropriate safety gear, especially a helmet.

Elbow and knee pads are also helpful to prevent scrapes, bruises, and other injuries.  The scooters come in multiple colors and you can create a coordinate the safety gear with the scooter for a really cool birthday or Christmas gift for a special child.

The Razor e100 Electric Scooter is the scooter of choice for younger children, starting at age 8 according to the manufacturer, but some parents purchase them for kids as young as 5.  This scooter comes in red, blue, pink, Hello Kitty pink, and Sweet Pea pink.

Razor makes helmets in red, blue, and pink.  They even have one with the Sweet Pea graphic design.  Other companies make many different styles and colors of helmets too.

Girls may love Disney Princesses, Dora, or other licensed characters. Boys have a wide range of options, including Transformers, Diego, Spiderman, Cars, Toy Story, and SpongeBob.

The Razor e200 electric scooter is for ages 13 and up.  It comes in a cool green color appropriate for both boys and girls.

Because this scooter is for older kids and even small adults, licensed characters are probably too juvenile.  Solid colored safety gear or edgy, urban graphic designs are a better choice.  Choose something with the same color green in the design.  Bell and Giro make some great helmets with green in the design.

The Razor e300 Electric Scooter has a powerful electric motor that can reach speeds of 15 miles an hour.  It is recommended for ages 13 and up.  The e300 comes in blue and the Sweet Pea pink design.  Blue and pink are actually the easiest colors to find helmets in.  Razor offers helmets that coordinate with the e300 scooter designs.  Many other companies also manufacture excellent choices.

The important thing to remember is for your child to wear a helmet, even if it is not coordinated, every time they ride their scooter.  It is impossible to predict what other people will do or where sidewalks might have holes or be uneven.  Even though the scooters are safe, a child can be jolted off one.

Without a helmet, the child could hit their head on a tree, rock, the ground, a vehicle, building, or other stationary object and suffer a concussion or worse.  Protecting your child’s brain is very important for their future health and happiness.