Amusement Park Safety

“You always have to be precautious about some things that might happen when
some people might build stuff that…might be stable…it might not.” Ian, age 8

Kids love amusement parks. There is nothing quite like the thrill of a rollercoaster.
But, are there dangers that come along with the ride? “My mom and her friends
got whiplash from some of the rides,” says Dominique, age 15 The Consumer Product
Safety Commission says that amusement park injuries are on the rise, soaring
88% between 1994 to 1998. Injuries at traveling carnivals were also up.Some
members of congress blame a lack of uniform federal safety regulations for the
increase. Right now, a traveling carnival failing inspection in one state can
pick up and move to a state with looser regulations or no regulations at all,
leaving ride inspections up to parents. Parent Richard Wise says, “I usually
like to look at them… and see how they’re being operated…see who’s operating
them.” “The biggest thing is the operators…to make sure that they’re paying
attention to the rides,” says Earl Everett, a ride safety expert.Everett also
says parents should pay attention to how the amusement park looks. If it’s poorly
maintained, that could be a danger sign.”You always have to be cautious about
some things that might happen when some people… build stuff that…might be stable…it
might not,” says Ian, age 8.But in states with regular ride inspections, Everett
feels most amusement parks and their rides are not dangerous.”Those parks, especially
the fixed parks have very good training programs and they have a very good maintenance
and safety program,” Everett says.And feeling safe makes it easier to just relax
and enjoy the ride.

Amusement Park Accidents:

Over the last few years, there has been an increase in amusement park-related
accidents. According to the Consumers Product Safety Commission (CPSC), of the
559 million visits to amusement parks last year, six resulted in death. This
is the highest number in any single year in more than a decade. The number of
injuries at amusement parks is substantially higher. The CPSC says 9,200 people
were treated in hospital emergency rooms for ride-related injuries in 1998.
This number is up 24% from 1994.

Blood Clots Caused By Roller Coasters

A study reported in the journal Neurology, January 11, 2000, which was conducted
by Japanese researchers, focuses on a 24-year old woman who developed blood
clots after six roller coaster rides. Two of these rides were on the largest
roller coaster in the world, the Fujiyama, in Fujikyu Highland Park in Japan.
Dr Toshio Fukutake, a neurologist at the Chiba University School of Medicine
in Japan, says that “Giant roller coasters, which are higher and faster than
typical roller coasters, may be more dangerous.” He is co-author of the study
which claims that managers at amusement parks and people who enjoy these rides
need to be aware of the potential health risks.

Source: Medical Tribune.com

Look At The Statistics

• An estimated 9,200 hospital emergency room-treated injuries occurred in
  1998, with about 2,100 involving mobile rides, 4,500 involving fixed rides,
  and 2,600 involving rides of unknown mobility status. There was an increasing
  trend in total injuries from 1994 through 1998.
• An estimated 0.8% of injuries in 1998 resulted in hospitalization. This
  compares to an overall hospitalization rate of about 4% in recent years.
• The total number of non-occupational amusement ride-related fatalities
  from 1987 through 1997 was 43 for an annual average of 3.9 fatalities during
  that 11-year period.
• The total number of occupational amusement ride-related fatalities from
  1987 through 1997 was an 58 for an annual average of 5.2 fatalities during
  that 11-year period.

Source: United States Consumer Product Safety Commission

Resources

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission