It’s Fair Season: How Safe Are Fair Rides?
Summer vacation is finally here, and kids are home from school. This brings a welcome reprieve for parents who spent the past nine months shuttling kids from school events and extracurricular activities and supervising homework. Now that a break in the madness is finally here, there’s another important issue at hand: What can you do with your kids to keep them entertained all summer long?
Fairs are a long-standing tradition here in San Diego, and the county fair attracts hundreds of visitors each year. Running June 1 to July 4, the county fair features rides that appeal to younger children, adults, and teens alike. Last year, 1.6 million people took in the attractions at the San Diego County Fair, and this year organizers are expecting even more.
This presents a welcome opportunity for you to get your children out of the house and enjoying some good old-fashioned fun. However, you might be wondering how safe the rides are, since they go up and tear down so quickly. You also wouldn’t be the only one worried about your child’s safety at the fair. Here’s everything you need to know about fair rides, safety, and how California handles inspections.
Are Fair Rides More Dangerous Than Those at Amusement Parks?
A recent study from Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Clinical Pediatrics found that children under the age of 18 incur about 4,400 injuries a year in amusement parks. Most of these accidents – some 70% – occur during the summer months, when fairs come into town. In months between May and September, around 20 kids incur injuries each day.
Recent literature regarding the safety of mobile rides versus fixed rides is scarce, but one Consumer Product Safety Commission report found that stationary rides actually lead to more emergency room visits than mobile ones. However, considering that fixed rides are available year-round, and mobile ones only a few months of the year, it’s clear that the latter present some risk of injury.
Should I Be Worried About My Child at the Fair?
According to the San Diego Fair’s organizers, you have little to worry about when it comes to bringing your child out for a day of fun. Tony Guadango, one of the fair’s coordinators, says that mobile rides can be safer, and for a simple reason: They go up and come down multiple times a year, which makes it easier for them to spot any issues and address them before they can cause any injuries. This differs from a park model, which remains in the same place all year.
Guadango also adds that the fair’s technicians, who experience a thorough vetting process, take set-up and tear-down seriously and use science-like precision. Careful set-up is important, as the improper placement of a ride could lead to a serious injury. That’s why the San Diego Fair has three inspection checks before anyone gets on a ride.
Further, California has some of the strictest fair inspection guidelines of any state in the nation. Like any other amusement park, the San Diego State Fair must abide by these restrictions and can face serious consequences if it fails to follow guidelines regarding maintenance, inspection, set-up, and take-down.
If you’re a parent looking for something to do with your children this summer, the San Diego County Fair can be a good opportunity for entertainment. Keep in mind, however, that amusement park injuries can and do occur. Use your best judgment when deciding which rides to allow your children on, and closely supervise them at all times. If you want to visit the fair, you’ll have to hurry – it packs up and leaves town on July 4.