News Releases & Advisories
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:
- The implementation of a graduating licensing program for snowmobile operators.
- Advertisements that promote snowmobiling should not be directed to young adolescents.
- 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.
- 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.
-30-
For media inquiries:
Canadian Paediatric Society
613-526-9397, ext. 247
media@cps.ca
|
