Amusement Park Safety | DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

Posted by Victor E. Long, Esq.

A recent carnival accident injuring dozens of Washington State Children,  highlights  concern regarding amusement park safety.  According to the Washington Post,  although the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulates children’s toys, strollers, bicycles and car seats, it has no jurisdiction over rides at fixed amusement parks, such as those run by Walt Disney Co., Six Flags, Universal and Anheuser-Busch Entertainment that host an estimated 300 million people on 1.84 billion rides annually.

Although the rate of injury is low, the consequences of even a single failure can be catastrophic to the individuals involved.” RidesDatabase recommends the following safety tips for amusement park patrons of all ages:

• Read and obey all posted rules and regulations.
• Make sure the ride is appropriate for the rider.
• Securely latch all restraints and use grab bars.
• Stay in the “locked and loaded” position for the entire ride cycle.
• Take frequent breaks if you’re riding high-g rides.  High-g refers to the force of gravity.
• Stop riding before you get excessively tired.
• Drink plenty of fluids throughout your stay at an amusement park or carvinal.
• Never ride while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Don’t get on any ride that looks poorly-maintained or if the operator is inattentive.
• Report any accidents, problems, or safety concerns to the appropriate officials.

Amusement rides are “complex, powerful machines that expose children and adults to extremes of speed, height, and dynamic force. Although the rate of injury is low, the consequences of even a single failure can be catastrophic to the individuals involved.”