If you're looking for an exciting and highly engaging outdoor activity for your kids, go-karting is a great option. It gives them a chance to drive at speeds of over 50 mph in a safe and controlled environment. However, it goes without saying that certain measures have to be taken to ensure that nobody gets hurt. Make sure your children follow these four safety tips while they're on the go-kart track.
1. Wear a Helmet and Appropriate Clothing
Image via Flickr by KaseyEriksen
A helmet is just as important for go-karters as it is for motorcyclists and ATV riders. The danger of getting a head injury is very real on a go-kart track because riders can collide with one another at high speeds. As such, you should never let your kids get on the track without wearing a helmet. Additionally, make sure they wear close-fitting racing overalls when they're go-karting. Loose-fitting clothes may get caught in the rotating parts of the vehicle, which can result in severe injuries.
2. Wear the Safety Harness
The safety harness is something that must be used at all times while racing. Kids can be easily thrown out of their go-karts when doing high-speed turns. Most adults know better, but kids often forget to put on the safety harness when they're overexcited about riding their go-karts. Therefore, you should make sure that your kids' safety harnesses are well secured before they start racing. Most go-karts come with a three-point or five-point safety harness. Check to see if the ones in your kids' vehicles are functioning as they should.
3. Avoid Bumping Into Other Drivers
Kids who have driven bumper cars before may feel the temptation to bump into other go-karts. They may also try to edge out their competitors by bumping them out of the way or off the path. This kind of behavior not only puts your kids at risk of injury; it can also hurt other riders on the track. Therefore, you need to sternly caution your kids not to bump into others and teach them how to compete safely without making contact with other go-karts.
4. Stay in the Go-Kart
Another important go-kart safety tip that you need to share with your kids is that they must stay in their go-karts when they get stuck or drive into a barrier. This is because the other go-kart drivers on the track may not see them while they're going at high speeds. Your kids may suffer severe injuries if they're hit by a fast-moving go-kart. Tell them to stay in their go-karts and wait for an attendant to come and assist them whenever they get stuck on the track.
In addition to giving your kids these safety tips, you should get them to understand that go-karts are powerful machines that need to be handled with care. They should know the dangers of driving go-karts recklessly and exercise caution while they're on the track. Striking the right balance between speed and safety is the key to an enjoyable and rewarding go-karting experience.
