Staying Safe at the Amusement Park

The number of injuries linked to accidents at an amusement park, carnival and county fair is rising. Unfortunately, even the kiddie rides are potentially dangerous. No federally regulated inspection programs exist for amusement parks, inspection laws vary from state to state, and even from county to county, and some states require no inspections at all.

As a parent, you must be proactive in keeping your child safe. Always follow these savvy steps before letting your child board any ride:

1. Perform your own inspection. If you can't visit the park before taking the entire family, closely examine the appearance of the rides as soon as you arrive, says Mark Mooney, assistant chief of inspections for the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety. "If a ride doesn't have fresh paint, or has torn seats or significantly rusty parts, you can bet that the more detailed components are not kept up," he says.
2. Explain appropriate behavior to your child. Risk-taking behavior is the number-one cause of all accidents that occur at parks, says Richard Brown, Ph.D, an orthopedic researcher and amusement park safety consultant in Huntington Beach, California. Rider negligence has turned into such a serious concern that 17 states now have enforced rider responsibility legislation, which places full responsibility for any accidents that may occur with the rider or, in the case of a child, the rider's parents.
   "Children have to understand that misbehavior can result in an accident," says Dr. Brown. Review safety rules before you get to the park, not when your child is inside and overwhelmed by all the activity. Explain that she must listen to the operator, keep her hands and legs inside the vehicle at all times, never move the safety harness, never rock a ride and never stand while a ride is moving or exit before she is told to do so. Before each ride, explain which motions and sensations she can expect, as well as what is expected of her.
3. Observe the ride operator. Watch the ride operate before you let your child on it, and walk away if you don't see the operator keeping a close eye on the children. Also, "If the ride operator is not helpful with your questions, you should consider not having your child go on the ride," advises Steven Elliott, a certified ride inspector from the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials in Madison, Wisconsin.

4. Obey the height restrictions. Even if your child meets the requirement, it doesn't mean he can handle the ride. Watch for the reactions of younger children exiting the ride. If they seem comfortable and happy, then your child may enjoy it too. Even if your child comes close to meeting the height requirement, never try to convince the operator that he should be allowed to ride. "The height requirement ensures that a child has the muscle and postural control to ride safely," says Dr. Brown.

5. Try to join your young child on the ride. If a ride can accommodate adults as well as children, it's a good idea to accompany your child, even if she fits comfortably into a safety harness, says Mooney. With an older child, use your discretion. If she wants to ride alone, ask your child to tell you exactly what she is and isn't supposed to do when she's on the ride.

6. Pick age-appropriate rides. Mooney suggests that toddlers start out on the merry-go-round or "elephant" rides, those that circle slowly a few feet above the ground. Accompany your child on the merry-go-round, standing on the inside of the horse to support him. Avoid reaching out to touch your child from afar; he may try to reach back.

   When he's eager to move on, kiddie coasters are a good next step. Once he has comfortably mastered those, he can try tame attractions like the ferris wheel or teacups and gradually work his way up to the bigger roller coasters.

   Never encourage your child to board a ride if he seems apprehensive, even if he sees other kids his age enjoying the ride. "Children can panic, try to get out and may become injured as a result," says Elliott.Avoid putting very young children on rides. "I don't recommend placing a baby on any amusement ride," says Mooney. "A child's neck and back muscles may not be developed enough to sustain the movement."

7. Never ignore the health restrictions. A ride operator cannot necessarily tell whether a child has a health risk (such as asthma or a heart condition), so it's up to you to heed all posted warnings. Never assume that the park is exaggerating any dangers: Children with minor heart problems or asthma may be at greater risk riding the same attractions that millions of healthy children have enjoyed without any problem.
8. Don't let your child ride with a stranger. Your child may know he shouldn't rock the ferris wheel, but does the rider next to him? If there is only one spot left to fill in a car when it's your turn, just inform the operator that you want to stay together. The people who have been waiting in line behind you will be more than happy to go ahead of you.
9. Research your state's inspection program. Go to the Consumer Product Safety Commission's online directory at www.cpsc.gov. If you have concerns about a particular facility, call your state's inspection department and ask to see the park's injury records.