Amusement Ride Safety

Going on amusement park rides is one of the safest forms of recreation. According to the International Association of Amusement Park Attractions, you are more likely to be injured when you play sports, ride a horse, or even ride a bicycle. Statistics show the occurrence of death to be approximately one in 250 million riders. You have a much better chance of being hit by lightening in a thunderstorm. Of course, you would not dance under a tree in a storm. Neither should you take chances with your safety in an amusement park or carnival.

Here are some tips to keep you safe in the carnival or park.

Almost every ride has a set of safety rules. These usually require that riders meet certain criteria relating to age, height, and weight, or warn them not to ride if they have certain medical conditions.

For example, small children might be barred from some rides because of their low body mass. People with back or neck problems may be at a greater risk of injury on rides that create force on these areas. A ride's designers understand the forces acting on the rider and create the safety rules for his reason. Obey the safety rules for each ride. They are there for your protection.

But ride dangers are not the only dangers at amusement parks and carnivals.

Heat causes more pain and injury at parks than all the world's roller coasters combined. Water's your best friend in helping prevent heat-related illnesses in theme parks. Get ell hydrated days before you go to the park. Do not make the mistake of saying, 'I'll drink plenty of water while I'm at the park. Choose water over juice and soft drinks whenever you get thirsty, and don't drink alcohol until you are done with rides for the day. (Alcohol dehydrates you, leaving you at risk for sunstroke and heat exhaustion. It also impairs your judgment, putting you at greater risk for injury on rides.)

Put on a waterproof sunscreen before you enter the park, and remember to reapply it throughout the day. A soaking sweat, or a couple water rides, can wash that sunscreen off you. A hat or sun visor can help, too.

Wear comfortable shoes and clean, dry socks. The heat reflecting off asphalt pavement can give you a nasty rash if you are wearing sandals or no socks. Plus, you'll be on your feet for much of the day, and will need the extra support from a good pair of shoes.

And even off the rides use your brain. Be aware of where you are, and who is around you. Don't stumble into someone else, or worse, trip over some kid's stroller. And if you're the one pushing a stroller, don't crash it into others' legs and feet.

Don't run. And don't stop, either, unless you've looked around to see that you won't block folks walking behind you. If you need to stop, move over to the side, and out of others' way.

It should be obvious that you shouldn't get on a coaster or other turbulent ride if you have an upset, or overly stuffed, stomach. So wait a few minutes after eating to make sure everything's sitting right. And throw away that gum before getting on board a theme park ride, too. On a high-speed ride that twists, flips and dips, you don't want anything in your mouth that could block a vital airway.

If you are visiting with a child, take a moment to explain the ride to them, and tell them how they should behave. They are depending upon you to keep them safe. Set a good example for them by following the rules above, and make sure that they know you expect them to follow those rules, too.

Tell them to stay seated, to hold the grab bar or put their hands in the laps, and not to stick their knees and feet outside a ride vehicle. Make them look to you for the okay to get on or off a ride, too.

And never put a crying child on a ride. If your child starts to cry, let others pass you in line until your child is calmed. Or, gently exit the queue and find something more relaxing to do. Young kids can't keep an adult's pace in a theme park. Let them take plenty of breaks.

Almost all theme park accidents can be prevented but the responsibility for preventing an accident is shared by both the amusement park personnel and you.
~ Ronald Porep