Scooter Facts

Dec. 7, 2000--

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) _ Just in time for the gift-giving season, the American Medical Association is warning of the dangers of foot-powered scooters and recommending youngsters wear helmets and knee and elbow pads.

The AMA's policymaking House of Delegates unanimously approved the resolution Wednesday, the final day of their four-day meeting in Orlando.

The AMA also asked scooter manufacturers to include safe riding tips with their products.

"These do make appropriate presents for kids, and we don't want to limit the use of the scooter," stressed Dr. Stuart Cohen of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a delegate to the AMA convention. "When used appropriately with appropriate protective gear, to quote my son: `It's an awesome experience."'

Sales of the fold-up aluminum scooters have boomed since their recent introduction in stores. In September, Razor USA's model was the top-selling toy in the nation based on total sales.

In September, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that nearly 9,500 people _ almost all of them children _ had been admitted to emergency rooms with scooter-related injuries this year.

Scooter Facts (from the C.P.S.C.)

• From January 2000 through November 15, 2000, CPSC estimates there have been more than 30,000 emergency room treated injuries associated with scooters.

• In September 2000 alone, CPSC estimates there were about 8,600 injuries. There was an almost 1,800 percent increase in injuries from May 2000 to September 2000.

• Also in September, for the first time, scooter injuries surpassed in-line skating injuries.

• About 85% of the injuries were to children less than 15 years old.

• Two-thirds of the injuries were to males.

• Most common injury was a fracture (29%), most often to the arm or hand.

• Sales of new scooters were virtually zero in 1999; industry forecasts sales to reach between 2 million and 5 million units in 2000.

• Most of these new scooters are made of lightweight aluminum, with small low-friction wheels similar to those on in-line skates.

• The new scooters weigh less than 10 pounds and fold for easy portability and storage.

• The new scooters usually cost between $50 and $120.