There have been several reports lately of youngsters being involved in accidents with all-terrain vehicles, including one Friday in which a 6-year-old boy from Holland was seriously injured and life-flighted to Norfolk.

Now seems like as good a time as any to warn against the dangers of riding these heavy machines at high speeds.

Here are some safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

Get trained.

Wear a helmet.

No children on adult ATVs.

Don’t ride tandem.

Don’t ride on pavement.

Don’t ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Following these tips and exercising common sense will allow for fun and freedom on these sport vehicles.

For a training class, call (800) 887-2887, or log on to www.atvsafety.org.

Remember, ATVs, although thrilling to ride, are not toys and should not be treated as such.