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NEWS
RELEASE
Tuesday,
November 9, 2004
Recreational
operation of snowmobiles inappropriate for
children and
younger adolescents, advise
paediatricians
OTTAWA –
Snowmobiles
continue to pose a significant risk to
children younger than 16 years and young
adults. In Canada, on average four children
under the age of 16 die each year from
snowmobile accidents. That is why the
Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) has
released a new position statement
recommending that children younger than 16
years not operate a snowmobile and that
children younger than 6 years not be
transported as passengers on snowmobiles.
The
statement, Recommendations
for snowmobile safety, released this
week by the CPS Injury Prevention Committee
and published in the current issue of Paediatrics
& Child Health, states that
snowmobiling is the winter recreational
activity associated with the highest rate of
serious injury, especially among young
people.
“As
paediatricians, we are first and foremost
concerned with the health and safety of
children and youth. Because we see these
injuries and deaths in the hospital
emergency rooms, we have an obligation to
communicate the dangers and risks to
families,” says Dr. Richard Stanwick,
principal author of the statement and member
of the CPS Injury Prevention committee.
“It is important that we make
recommendations on the most appropriate use
of snowmobiles.
According
to the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting
and Prevention Program (CHIRPP), in the
period of 1991 to 2001 there were a total of
772 reported injuries to children under the
age of 16 years. Head injury remains the
leading cause of mortality and serious
morbidity, arising largely when snowmobilers
collide, fall or overturn during operation.
“This
statement is about preventing injury and
keeping our kids safe, ” adds Dr. Stanwick.
“Snowmobiles are dangerous and do cause
harm to our children and youth.”
Additional
recommendations in the statement include:
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The
implementation of a graduating licensing
program for snowmobile operators.
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Advertisements
that promote snowmobiling should not be
directed to young adolescents.
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Irrespective
of age, snowmobilers should avoid the
use of alcohol or other drugs before or
during the operation of a snowmobile.
Adults should reinforce this message by
setting a good example.
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Snowmobilers
should not carry more than one
passenger. Use of a saucer, tube, tire,
sled or skis to pull someone behind a
snowmobile is not recommended.
The
Canadian Paediatric Society is a national
professional association, representing more
than 2,000 paediatricians, that advocates
for the health needs of children and youth.
Its peer-review journal, Paediatrics
& Child Health, is published 10
times a year and circulated to 15,500 child
health care professionals. For additional
information about the CPS recommendations
for snowmobile safety visit, www.cps.ca.
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For
media inquiries:
Canadian Paediatric Society
613-526-9397, ext. 247
media@cps.ca
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