Ahead of the long weekend, Alberta Health Services (AHS) is reminding Albertans to be safe, and take precautions while riding ATVs.
AHS said between May 1 and July 26, 38 children were injured, all while riding ATVs. Of the injured, 14 were admitted to hospital and two of those children died.
Between April 2013 and March 2014, more than 350 children under the age of 17 were seen at Emergency Departments throughout Alberta, for ATV-related injuries – and between 2002 and 2011, 23 children under the age of 16 died.
Officials are warning parents to keep kids under the age of 16 off of ATVs, even if they would be a passenger.
“The folks under 16 [years of age] lack the skill set, the strength to control and the judgment to control them safely,” Dr. Chris Sikora, with AHS said.
Officials said Albertans over 16-years-old should be trained by a recognized ATV instructor, before heading out, wear safety gear including a helmet, jacket, long pats, googles, boots and gloves, they should be fastened into the ATV while riding, and tell others where they’re going and when they expect to be back, and have a cell phone or radio and a first aid kit on hand.
Alberta is the only province without regulations about wearing a helmet while operating an ATV.
A government spokesperson told CTV News they are considering making helmets mandatory for passengers or drivers, under the age of 18, riding on public land.
With files from Sarah Richter
