700 people die each year from ATV-related accidents - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

BOARDMAN TOWNSHIP, Ohio - Seven hundred people die each year from ATV-related accidents and another 136,000 people end up in the emergency room.

"Head injuries are the number one cause of death in ATV-related crashes. It is definitely important to make sure you are wearing your helmet, but there are scrapes, lacerations, abrasions, broken bones," said Akron Children's Hospitals' Injury Prevention Specialist Gia Ramsey.

Children often are involved in ATV-related accidents. While various organizations discourage the use of ATVs by anyone under the age of 16, there are no laws stopping them from enjoying the sport.

"Well ATVs are difficult to use and children under 16 usually don't have the cognitive and the physical abilities to use that ATV safely," Ramsey said.

However, Ramsey says there are ATV models designed for the young rider. Maximum speeds range from 15 miles per hour to 40 miles per hour.

"Before children go on to an ATV you've got to make sure everything is in check. You want to make sure the ATV is working correctly, that you have the proper safety equipment. Things like a motorcycle or a specific ATV helmet. You should wear the proper clothing with pants, padding, elbow pads, chest pads, different things like that. That is definitely going to help protect your child," Ramsey said.

Other safety tips for people of all ages include never riding on the road and always riding alone, unless the ATV is designed to carry more people.