How to Prevent Tricycle Injuries

Most parents don’t associate tricycles with injuries, but a recent study by researchers at Emory University and the Medical College of Georgia found that in 2012 and 2013, more than 9,000 children were treated at emergency rooms nationwide as a result of tricycle accidents. The most common injuries were skin gashes, fractures and injuries to the head.

What can parents do to prevent tricycle-related injuries to their children? Here are some safety tips from Healthychildren.org.

• Don’t buy a tricycle until your child is ready to handle it. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that most children are not ready for a tricycle until age 3.
• Buy a tricycle that’s low to the ground and has big wheels. This is safer because it’s less likely to tip over.
• Use a properly fitting helmet that’s certified as meeting the standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Supervise children at all times.
• Your child should ride in protected areas such as parks.
• Don’t let them ride near swimming pools, driveways or automobiles.
• Discuss tricycle safety with your child’s pediatrician.