Rise in injury rate prompts warning

POPULAR: Scooters sales are increasing.

More Wairarapa children are suffering injuries as scooters become increasingly popular, new figures show.

Wairarapa scooter injuries rose from 72 at a taxpayer cost of $15,677 in 2011 to 131 at $29,397 in 2012, but dropped back to 98 at $15,864 last year, according to ACC injury claim figures.

Injuries increased the most in 5 - 14-year-olds, from 62 in 2011 to 88 in 2012, dipping slightly to 83 last year.

Fractures to the arms, and head and facial injuries - particularly dental injuries - were most common, with some occurring when hand grips came off handlebars and when scooters folded unexpectedly, ACC said.

Carterton School principal Alison Woollard said scooters had become more popular among her students.

"We've been encouraging more children to come to school by means other than the car."

From time to time students suffered injuries on Wheel Days - when students can bring bikes, skateboards or scooters to use at school - but the school had rules such as no bare feet, she said.

Helmet use was encouraged for scooter users travelling to and from school.

Nationwide, ACC scooter injury claims increased from 4306 at $1,375,395 in 2011 to 7733 at $2,178,884 last year.

Statistics released by Safekids New Zealand last year showed 158 children were hospitalised with scooter-related injuries between 2007-2011.

Safekids director Ann Weaver said although scooters provided children with valuable exercise, it was important to use safety equipment such as helmets, which are not currently mandatory for scooter users.

"It only takes one fall and landing the wrong way could really have a long-term impact on their life, and all for the sake of wearing a helmet.

"[Although] it isn't law we should still be encouraging children because we know it's a good intervention to reduce serious head injury."

Schools needed to have scooter safety policies if their students were using scooters to travel to school, including instructions on good travel routes and possible traffic hazards, she said.

Through its Safe2Skoot programme, run in conjunction with Jetstar, Safekids delivers safety information to schools throughout the country.

While scooter safety was ultimately the responsibility of parents, schools needed to support children to travel to school safely, she said.

Warehouse spokeswoman Joanne Fullam said, the popularity of children's scooters was definitely on the increase and the retail giant had seen steady sales growth, particularly over the last six months.

Safety product sales had increased in line with scooter sales, she said.

"Safety of our customers is a top priority at The Warehouse so we offer a large range of skate-style helmets and safety pads."

ACC spokeswoman Stephanie Melville said given the popularity of manual scooters among Kiwi children, ACC wanted to remind parents of young scooter riders to always ask "got your helmet on?"

"If kids use the right protective gear, wear brightly-coloured clothing and ride in safe environments, this will reduce the risk of accidents and injuries."