Safety Tips for Riding Carnival Rides

Do you love carnival rides? You’re definitely not alone, but beware! Carnival rides send over 7,000 North Americans to the ER every year. Here are the facts you need to know, courtesy of ABC News.

The typical parking lot carnival features thrill rides like the Tilt-A-Whirl, the Scrambler, and the Kamikaze. The Consumer Product Safety Commission regulates how these rides are made, but there are no federal regulations or oversight about how they’re maintained or setup. When a carnival travels from town to town, the rides are set up and taken down dozens of times every year, but rarely inspected – if ever.

Ken Martin is an amusement ride safety consultant with 20 years in the business, and he says the rules are enforced differently in each state. Some states inspect the rides every time they’re set up in a new spot, other states inspect them just once a year, and six states don’t inspect carnival rides at all. Another reason for carnival ride accidents: Human error. Last year in Indiana, two girls fell out of a ride with a plunging drop after the operator accidentally released a safety catch on the cage the girls were in.

However, industry experts say 85 percent of accidents are caused by the riders themselves. Earlier this year, a man was killed when he jumped over a barrier and was struck by a high-speed spinning ride. As a result, some states have passed rider responsibility laws that absolve the carnival of liability if a rider acts irresponsibly.

Of course people are also hurt when rides go wrong. Like the seven kids in California who each got smacked in the head by a large chain that had broken loose on a rollercoaster. Until all states require regular carnival ride inspections, how can you protect yourself and your family?

First, visit a carnival on a weekday - instead of nights or weekends. Accidents are more likely to happen when venues are crowded and chaotic.
Next, don’t wear anything that dangles or drags. At one theme park, riders got stuck upside down on a rollercoaster after a girl’s poncho got jammed in its wheels.
Finally, stay safe on carnival rides by following the standard safety rules: Keep your arms, legs and head inside the ride compartment, and adjust your seat belt so it’s snug.