Ride Safety at Amusement Parks & Fairs

There have been several unfortunate incidents recently of serious injuries, even deaths, on amusement park and fair rides.

While these are rare, it’s worth reviewing common sense ride safety measures to protect yourself and your children.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports more than 24,000 injuries caused by such attractions were seen by hospital emergency departments in 2022.

More than one-quarter of the injuries were to children, aged 5-14 years old.

These ride safety tips are from the New York State Dept. of Labor, which inspects more than 7,000 rides each year, at amusement parks, fairs and traveling carnivals, including each time a ride sets up in a new location.

In New York State, a ride can not set up without a permit from the Dept. of Labor, and rides are tagged with inspection information. Other states have similar rules.

How to Ride Safe

Respect the rules

Obey listed age, height, weight, and health restrictions, and follow all directions posted on signs, given by ride operators, or announced through recorded messages.
These rules were created for everyone’s safety, especially children.
If you don’t think your child will be able to follow the rules for a ride, do not let them get on.
Never sneak children onto rides if they are below the posted height, weight, or age limits.

Don’t pressure anybody to ride

Never force anyone, especially children, to get on attractions they don’t want to ride.

Buckle up

Always use all safety equipment provided on rides and never attempt to get free or loosen restraints or other safety devices.
Keep hands, arms, legs, and feet inside rides at all times.

Keep loose items off rides

Don’t carry loose items like wallets, glasses, cell phones, or hats with you on any ride.
Taking photos or video on a ride is dangerous.
Many rides require placing items such backpacks, handbags and large cameras in a secure lock-bin before riding.

Stay seated

Remain seated in the ride until it comes to a complete stop and you are instructed to exit.

Pace yourself

Take frequent breaks if you’re riding high g-force rides, such as roller coasters.
Repeated high g-force rides can result in the loss of consciousness, which can lead to serious injury.

Stay alert

If you are injured or see any unsafe behavior or conditions on a ride, report it immediately to an employee at the venue.
NYState Dept. of Labor places dated inspection tags on each ride after it has passed inspection – look for them.
No ride that fails an inspection is permitted to operate. The tags allow families to see plainly that the ride has been inspected and deemed safe.
Information on the tag includes the name of the ride, the name of the inspector, the date it was inspected, and whether it passed or failed.

Beat the Heat

Take breaks

Summer temperatures get hot, and you can end up walking or standing in the sun more than usual at amusements parks or fairs.
Take breaks from back-to-back rides like roller coasters to avoid feeling ill.
Sit down and grab a beverage if you start to feel tired.

Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, but don’t drink alcohol and get on rides, especially in hot weather.
Getting on rides while impaired puts yourself and others at risk.

Find first aid stations

It’s smart to know where first aid stations are located in case of an emergency.

Child Safety

Know the rules

Make sure children can understand and follow safe behavior for the day, especially when on rides.
If you don’t think your child will be able to follow the rules for a ride, do not let them get on.
Never sneak children onto rides if they are below the posted height, weight, or age limits.

Watch before you ride

Watch any rides with your child so you both know what to expect before getting on.
You can also read any instruction signs aloud with your child and point out the ride operator, exit locations, and entrance locations.

Make sure children are seated safely

Make sure children know they must use all safety equipment on rides.
Don’t assume a ride is safe for children if you hold on to them.
If you hold on to your child, you can’t look after yourself, and you may both be at risk of injury.

Have a plan in case your child gets lost

Teach children what to do if they get separated from you.
Point out uniformed park employees who can help them and designate a conspicuous spot as a meeting place if your child gets lost.
Know where a park or fair security office is located, just as you should know where the first aid station is located.

NYS Dept. of Labor Safety Systems

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) and Department of State today remind New Yorkers of proactive measures taken to ensure a fun, safe amusement park and fair season for families and visitors statewide. NYSDOL inspects all rides at stationary parks outside of New York City at least once a year and inspects rides at traveling carnivals or fairs every time the rides are set up at a new location.

A ride cannot legally operate without a permit from NYSDOL. In 2022, the Department inspected nearly 7,000 rides across New York State.

“Our inspectors work diligently and thoroughly to ensure that every piece of equipment functions properly before anyone boards these rides,” said New York State Dept. of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “When you see the NYSDOL inspection tag, you know that the ride has been thoroughly inspected and is safe to board.”

“Amusement parks, fairs and carnivals are an exciting way to spend time with your family during the summer, but a fun day can quickly turn into a bad experience if the proper safety procedures are not followed,” said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez.

“Before heading to one of these attractions, parents and children alike should be aware of the rules that are in place to keep everyone safe and know the warning signs of a potentially unsafe ride.”

NYSDOL inspections are a three-step process:

As rides are brought into a fair or festival location, each individual part and component of each individual ride is inspected for defects.
The ride is assembled and inspected again to ensure that all components have been assembled and are properly secured.
The operator of the ride is required to run the ride, and it is inspected once more while operating. The person operating the ride is also observed to ensure that they are operating the ride correctly.

NYSDOL places dated inspection tags on each ride after it has passed inspection. No ride that fails an inspection is permitted to operate, but these tags allow families to see plainly that the ride has been inspected and deemed safe. Information on the tag includes the name of the ride, the name of the inspector, the date it was inspected, and whether it passed or failed.

New York State is home to more than 50 county and youth fairs that operate from July through the middle of September, with the Long Island Fair closing out the season. Local fairs allow visitors a chance to sample locally grown food. These events also provide an opportunity to learn about local agriculture, including where our food comes from, and how it is grown, harvested, and marketed to the public.

NYSDOL enforces amusement ride safety throughout the state, except in New York City. Labor Department employees inspect all rides at stationary amusement parks at least once a year, and rides at traveling fairs or carnivals are inspected every time the ride is set up in a new location. A ride cannot be operated without a permit from the Department of Labor.

More information is available at dol.ny.gov/ride-safe-ny.

All amusement rides that pass inspection and are safe to ride will have a DOL inspection tag that is visible at the ride’s point of entry. If you do not see the tag, please ask the operator to show it to you.

About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education materials to consumers on product safety, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays.

Consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 20+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter currently serves as President of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA), a former Board Member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and a current member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA).

Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.