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Louisiana 4-H ATV Safety

Renee Naquin

ATV Safety Institute’s Golden Rules:

  • Always wear a DOT-compliant helmet, goggles, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves.
  • Never ride on paved roads except to cross when done safely and permitted by law – another vehicle could hit you. ATVs are designed to be operated off-highway.
  • Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Never carry a passenger on a single-rider ATV, and no more than one passenger on an ATV specifically designed for two people.
  • Ride an ATV that’s right for your age.
  • Supervise riders younger than 16; ATVs are not toys.
  • Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed.
  • Take a hands-on ATV RiderCourse and the free online e-Course. Visit ATVSafety.org

Ride Smartjpg

In today’s virtual recess we will review how to properly wear a helmet.

Your helmet is the most important piece of protective gear for safe riding. A helmet can help prevent a serious head injury. There are a few basic tips to keep in mind when selecting a helmet

  • Select a helmet that meets or exceeds your state’s safety standards and carries either the Department of Transportation (DOT) label or the Snell Memorial Foundation label.
  • Your helmet should fit snugly and fasten securely. Full-face helmets help protect your face as well as your head.
  • Open-face helmets are lighter and may becoolerbutshould be used with mouth protection.
  • Eye protection should be used with both types of helmets.
  • There is also a special time not to wear a helmet. When you stop to talk with landowners or other people you meet on the trails, always take your helmet off. To some people your helmet is a mask and can be intimidating

Click on this link to learn how to properly fit your helmet.

ATV Egg Drop Activity

Activity Description:

Let’s do a fun activity designed tosheyou the effectiveness of wearing a helmet when riding an ATVusing eggs. The egg represents the head/brain. It will showyouwhat can happen ifyourhead is not protected.

Materials needed:

  • Eggs (enough foreach person to have two eggs)
  • Packing material (you can use anything at all that you have lying around your house)such as:
  • Paper
  • Bubble wrap
  • Plastic peanuts
  • Tape
  • Zip lock bag
  • Shoe box or any type of small box can be used
  • Ladder or area where eggs can be dropped from

Activity

The egg represents their head/brain. When riding an ATV, you always want to protect your head. If you do not protect your head and you get in an accident, what do you think would happen?

At this point put the egg in the zip lock back and drop it from waist height. What happens? The egg cracks. Sobasically,this will not be good for your head if it hitsthe groundand it is not protected.

Each group to get your second egg.You can draw a face on it or name it to become yours.You love their egg so much you want to protect it the best way you can.Use the packing materials to protect your egg.Spend sometime to “pack” your egg and seal your boxes. One at a time, get a parent or adult to climb on to the top of the ladder and drop the egg boxes.Once your box hits the ground, open it toand see if your eggs/head is still in one piece. If you did a good job in protecting your eggs/head, they should still be in good shape!

Alternate Activity:

A melon can be used and actually strapped into an ATVhelmet.

Drop the melon without the helmet, watch it shatter, then drop it strapped into the helmet to stay in one piece.

ATVsafety.org has lots of helpful information for students and parents on how to stay safe while riding ATV’s. They also have an e-course that you can toke. It is for all ages and for experienced and inexperienced riders. Click on this e-course link and see if you are ready to ride an ATV.


5/4/2020 3:55:48 PM
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