July 2005 - KEEP YOUR SUMMER FUN SAFE!
Summer’s arrival brings the inevitable… driving fun karts!
However, misuse of fun karts can cause serious injury. With that in mind, we wish to remind everyone that using fun karts appropriately can prevent needless accidents.
The key to the safe operation of a fun karts is supervision. Know where children are and what they are doing. Do not let your children operate your fun kart without your approval and knowledge.
Another potential safety hazard is well-intentioned people who want to give rides on their laps to young children. The absolute bottom line is: it is not safe – DON’T DO IT. If the kart is equipped with a passenger seat – then make sure the child is safely buckled in and wearing a helmet. Otherwise, no passengers should be allowed on the kart, period!
Don’t tamper with safety features than manufacturers have built into these machines. Such disengagement creates possible safety hazards to the operator and others. These mechanisms are present to help keep the user (and passenger if kart is equipped for such) safe and do not hinder performance.
Here are 10 Important Safety Tips for keeping your fun and fun kart safe.
- Read and understand the contents of the Owner’s Manual prior to operating the kart. This included children and others who may be driving the kart.
- Child Safety is an adult responsibility. Think about this BEFORE you let the kart be driven by any children. Do not allow unsupervised children to operate the kart without your permission.
- Dress properly. Wear long pants, close fitting clothes, sturdy shoes and a HELMET. Don’t wear anything that can get caught in moving parts such as scarves, hanging strings on sweatshirts, etc. Always contain long hair under the helmet as it could also get caught in moving parts. This includes ponytails.
- Do not operate the kart while tired, ill or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication.
- Before using the kart on off-road property, make sure you clean the area of debris, rock, branches, etc. that can become entangled in the kart. Keep animals away from the track area.
- NEVER carry a child on your lap while operating a kart. If the kart is designed for a passenger, then and only then can a passenger be allowed on a kart. All drivers and passengers should be belted into the kart and wear helmets at all times.
- Keep hands, feet, long hair and clothing away from moving or rotating parts. Keep safety devices in place and in working order. If kart is equipped with a keyed ignition, keep the key where children cannot find it.
- Repair or replace any damaged parts immediately. Don’t wait until parts on the kart break or bend. Damaged parts are dangerous parts. Keep tires inflated to the proper air pressure as indicated on the tire or in the owners manual.
- Use caution when driving up or down on steep hills or on inclines. Karts can be tippy.
- Handle gasoline with care and use only an approved container.
For more information, please refer to the owners manual that was provided with the kart. If you purchased the kart used, we suggest that you contact the manufacturer and request an owners manual or safety manual. For a list of manufacturers, please refer to the June 2005 “FUN TIMES” column which is available in ARCHIVES on this site.
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