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The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) reported that toys sent kids to the ER (emergency room) every few minutes. Of these toy accidents, riding toys such as bikes, scooters, skateboards, and skates were responsible for 42 percent of the toy-related injuries. 

Ride-on toys also range from simple rocking horses and wagons to kid-sized motorized vehicles like a Barbie car. Tricycles, bicycles, and scooters also count as ride-ons. Ride-on toys may be battery powered or may be powered by a child’s feet through pedaling or pushing.

Here are some further statistics and facts from Newsweek, Children’s Safety & Injury Prevention, and the National Journal: 

• Riding toys are responsible for the majority of toy injuries among children ages 14 and under.
• The largest share of toy-related injuries, 46 percent, came as a result of serious falls, while 22 percent of injuries were from collisions.
• Scooter riding, without the right safety precautions, can result in a number of serious injuries, such as broken bones, cuts requiring stitches, or even concussions.
• Ride-on toys are three times more likely than any other toys to be responsible for broken bones or dislocations. 

Why do kids get injured on ride-on toys? 

Here are just a few from the experts:

 The scooter or bike is just too big for the child.

1. Children are not properly taught how to use a ride-on toy in order to avoid suffering an injury.
2. Children are not wearing helmets and/or proper footgear when riding scooters, bicycles and the like.
3. Design, manufacturing or assembly defects in the toy.

Recalls have been made of the more dangerous and defective toys:

Toy manufacturers have historically, according to Forbes magazine (December 2, 2014), voluntarily followed the ASTM International (formerly: American Society for Testing and Materials) guidelines as no laws actually regulated toy safety. In 2008 that changed. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 was enacted. When toys are found to be unsafe or defective, recalls do not prove effective as people either do not hear about them and/or manufacturers cannot track their products. 

The CPSC published the following recalls of Ride-On toys within the last two years:

• Peanuts Flying Ace Rid-On Toy manufactured by La Rose Industries. The toy’s blue hubcaps can detach from the wheel’s axle posing a choking hazard to young children. Consumers should immediately take the recalled ride-on toys away from children and return the product to any Target store for a full refund. Target can be contacted at (800) 440-0680. 

• Step2 Whisper Ride Touring Wagon manufactured by The Step2 Company LLC. The removable blue seat backs can detach and allow the child to fall out. About 14,000 units are involved in this Step2 wagon recall. Consumers with the recalled wagons should contact Step2 at (866) 860-1887 or online at www.step2.com to obtain a free repair kit. 

• Bluestem Ranger Ride-On Toys manufactured by Bluestem Brands Inc. The battery can overheat, smoke, melt and catch on fire. About 4,700 units Model #90407B and 90407G are involved in this recall. For more information, contact Bluestem toll-free at (866) 931-5417 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's websites at www.fingerhut.com or www.gettington.com and click on Product Recall.

Staying alert to toy recalls and supervising children’s play, are two ways parents may stay informed. Here are a few tips to help ensure that your child is safe while playing with a riding toy from Time: 

• Make sure protective gear is used when a child is on a bike, a scooter, skates or skateboard. The helmet must fit snugly. 

• Children should not wear loose clothing or scarves that may get caught in the toy and choke them. It is also a good idea not to wear sandals that may get caught in the pedals. 

• Look for wide wheels on scooters. The ones with thin wheels travel too fast and may reduce stability. 

• Watch out for inclines, bumps and stairways. 

• Supervise your children when they ride on the street. 

“The team at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. have the expertise to handle your case if you or a family member should be injured while on a ride-on toy,” said Fort Myers Child Injury Attorney, Ronald Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys P.A.

Fort Myers Defective Product Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.