The dangers of kids using pogo stick

Kids love to use fun ways to get around. If you give them a choice between riding their scooter and walking somewhere, they will go for the scooter every time. The dafter the mode of transport, the better. That is part of the reason pogo sticks are as popular today as they were when they were first released in the 1920s. For indoor play that is just as exciting but offers a bit more stability, a Bumper Kids Car is becoming a popular choice for parents who want to provide that same thrill of movement within the safety of a living room or playroom.

However, as I have found out, you do need to stop and think before buying one for your kid. They have the potential to be quite dangerous. Over the years, there have been several recalls. In the US, a particular brand of pogo stick was recalled in 2010 after 120 kids were injured while using one (if an injury does occur it’s worth speaking to a Gaffney personal injury lawyer).

Make sure you buy a good one

However, they have been around for a hundred years now and are still widely available. So, while they can be dangerous many parents do not feel that the risk is so high that they should not buy one for their kids. If you do want to buy a pogo stick for your child one, it is wise to buy a brand that you know and trust. Or, you can read online reviews and talk to other parents about the ones their kids have. Even if you are planning to physically go to the shops to buy one, still go online and find out what others have to say before actually making your purchase.

Keep an eye out for recall notifications

When you do buy one, register the product with the manufacturer, keep the receipt, and maybe take some photos or a short video of your kids using it. That way should there be a problem, you will have evidence that your child knew how to use the product properly. Ninety-nine percent of the time everything will be OK, and you won’t need to use the photos as evidence in a personal injury claim. Instead, you will be able to simply enjoy looking at them.

If there is a recall the manufacturer should notify you quickly. They are also obliged to cover your losses. That usually means that you will receive a full refund and not have to pay to send the product back.

You should also be keeping an eye on consumer websites and parenting forums. In most countries, these and the news are a good source of information about toys that could cause injuries. It is always worth doing the occasional Google search to unearth lists like this one.

Contact a lawyer if your child is injured by a pogo stick

Should your child be injured while playing with a pogo stick, get them medical help. As soon as you can, take photos of the accident area and the stick also call a personal injury lawyer. They will let you know what to do next. This is particularly important if the injury appears to be serious. Or if the stick failed in some way. For example, the stick snapped or the spring broke.