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Following a few simple rules can help keep scooters fun and safe.

Scooters may be popular and fun, but they can also be dangerous, warns the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

Each year, tens of thousands of scooter-related injuries send kids to hospital emergency rooms.

The AAOS offers these tips for using both manual and electric scooters safely:

• Use protective gear, including a helmet, wrist protectors, elbow pads and knee pads.
• Wear sturdy shoes. Avoid sandals or other flimsy footwear.
• Practice riding in a safe, open area. Become familiar with the steering, handling and brake systems.
• Avoid steep hills, slippery or uneven surfaces, and crowded walkways or streets.
• Don't ride a scooter at night.

Children younger than 8 shouldn't use scooters at all, says the AAOS. And no one under 16 should use electric scooters, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

For more tips on injury prevention, visit the AAOS website.

Reviewed 3/7/2025