The end of Winter brings warmer days and nights. It also brings more free time for youths to ride atvs and do other fun things. I'd like to remind all you parents to follow a few simple rules to help keep your kids safe when they ride.

Most important is to make sure your kids wear the proper safety equipment. This includes a helmet, long sleeve shirt, long pants, over-ankle boots, gloves, goggles, and a chest protector. If your kid rides an ATV, chances are they will fall off at one point or another, so make sure they're prepared.

The second most important thing is to make sure they're riding an ATV that is the right size for them. 90% of all youth ATV accidents happen to kids riding ATVs that are too big for them. You can have just as much fun as a kid on a smaller ATV than you can on a big one, so don't take that chance. Kids under 12 should not ride ATVs with an engine size greater than 70cc. Kids between 12 and 16 should not ride anything over 90cc.

The ATV Safety Institute has 8 rules of ATV Safety that you and your kids should follow to help prevent injury or death.

1. Always wear a helmet and other protective gear.
2. Never ride on public roads.
3. Never rider under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
4. Never carry a passenger on a single-rider vehicle.
5. Ride an ATV that's right for your age, shown above.
6. Supervise riders younger than 16; ATVs are not toys.
7. Ride only on designated trails, and at a safe speed.
8. Take an ATV Rider Safety Course; Call Toll-Free at 800.887.2887, or go to www.atvsafety.org.

92% of all youth fatalities on ATVs happen when the kids are allowed by their parents to participate in activities that they are warned against doing. Use common sense. These are YOUR kids, and YOU hold the key to their safety.