Just How Safe Are Amusement Park Rides?
The hottest days of summer recall memories of county fairs, roller coasters, and family amusement park trips. But just how safe are those amusement park rides? According to multiple sources, not very. A recent study reported that nearly 4,000 children are injured in amusement park ride accidents in the United States annually.
Researcher’s at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, looked at data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and emergency admission data to examine the effect amusement park rides had on children’s’ health over a 20-year period. They looked at all types of rides, from fixed-site (like theme park coasters) to mobile (like those that travel from county to county to participate in area fairs). They found that, between 1990 and 2010, nearly 100,000 children were treated in emergency rooms from amusement park injuries. The vast majority of the injuries (approximately 70%) occurred during the summer months.
What Kind of Injuries Are Most Common?
The most common types of injuries children sustained were not surprising: soft tissue injuries like strained muscles and damage to tendons and ligaments topped the list. Head and neck trauma were also prevalent, as were injuries to the face and limbs. Serious injuries made up a small percentage overall.
Fixed rides weren’t the only ones to cause injury. To the researchers’ surprise, even mall rides can be dangerous. A common scenario: mall rides are often placed on hard surfaces. Children may fall, leading to head injuries.
Have Things Improved Since the Study?
The Consumer Product Safety Commission hasn’t yet compiled info from 2015 or 2016, but raw data shows that there were around 45,000 accidents reported at amusement parks in 2015. About 30,000 involved minors. Compared to the estimated 375 million people who visit North America’s amusement parks each year, that’s a relatively small percentage.
Unfortunately, there are still accidents that end in tragedy. Last summer, three girls were seriously injured after they fell from a Ferris wheel in Tennessee. A young boy was recently killed after he fell from the tallest water slide in Kansas.
A Lack of Regulation
As of now, there’s no overarching regulatory body to oversee amusement park operations and ensure basic safety measures. The Consumer Product Safety Commission oversees mobile rides, but fixed rides are left to the discretion of state and local governments. This makes for a fragmented system with no standardized safety precautions. Experts are calling for a nationwide effort to systematically identify and address issues that injure children at amusement parks and fairs each year. Opponents, however, point to the cost of such regulations, especially in light of local governments working under already strained budgets. For now, injury prevention rests squarely on the shoulders of vigilant parents.
How to Keep Your Children Safe
All parents can play a part in keeping their children safe at amusement parks. Follow some basic guidelines:
- Follow all posted restrictions regarding height, weight, and age for each ride.
- Follow directions regarding seating order or car loading.
- Use all safety equipment including safety harnesses, seat belts, and bars.
- Encourage your children to keep their limbs inside the ride at all times.
- You know your child best. If you don’t think they can follow all of the instructions of the ride, don’t let them ride it.
- Always trust your instincts. If it seems unsafe, find a different attraction.
- Avoid mall rides that are on hard surfaces or lack proper restraints. Always check for padding, especially with toddlers and preschool-age children.
Amusement rides injure children every year, though injuries make up a small proportion of those who visit. With a common sense approach, you can limit the risk of an amusement park injury.