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North Country Hospital and VASA team up to teach ATV safety

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For kids who like to ride all terrain vehicles (ATVs), North Country Hospital will be hosting a free half-day classroom ATV training course sponsored by VASA (Vermont ATV Sportsman’s Association) on Saturday, March 24, from 9 a.m. to noon in the downstairs meeting room. This course, which teaches safe and responsible ATV operation, is a requirement for all Vermont riders aged 12 to 17. North Country Hospital understands the importance of this required training especially since, nationwide, children under the age of 16 account for 40 percent of ATV accidents and fatalities.

According to the Consumer Federation of America, a coalition of individuals and organizations dedicated to reducing deaths and injuries caused by off-highway vehicles (OHV) including ATVs, there were 25 OHV-related deaths in Vermont from 2013 to 2017.

In an effort to keep these numbers from rising, North Country Hospital, Safe Kids Vermont and VASA are urging Northeast Kingdom youth to attend this event.

“Your child’s ATV is a machine, so it’s not only important to match them with a size appropriate ATV, it’s equally important that they understand the rules, regulations, and ways in which to safely operate them,” says Dani Luce, operations director for VASA.

The ATV safety course will provide children with the state-approved, required safety certificate. To register for the training, please contact Dani Luce at [email protected], or call (802) 477-5075. Space is limited and the deadline to register is March 10. Lunch and snacks are provided for youth and parents. Grandparents or other adults are welcome to stay too. Once a child is registered, they will receive the appropriate course materials. — from North Country Hospital.

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