Parents beware: Tricycles injure thousands each year, New Study

The head is the most frequently injured body part in tricycle-related injuries, a U.S. study of emergency room visits suggests.

Each year, thousands of children are sent to the emergency room because of a tricycle-related incident. Over the course of 2012-2013, over 9,000 children were sent to the ER with a tricycle-related injury. Overall, two-year-olds were the most likely to be injured, and it was more commonly found in little boys. Injuries varied from gashes and bruises, to limp amputations and internal organ damage. Of all of the children admitted to the emergency room with tricycle-related injuries, less than 3% had to be hospitalized.

In general, experts are recommending that children under the age of 3 should not ride a tricycle, as their balance and coordination isn’t fully developed. Tricycles that are low to the ground, with big wheels, are the safest, and your children should always be wearing a helmet.

Agencies/Canadajournal