Have Fun, But Be Safe At Area Amusement Parks

A release from Stoneham Safety Officer Joseph Ponzo:

With vacation season in full swing and amusement parks like Six Flags and Canobie Lake Park
within driving distance, I have researched some safety tips for parents and children while visiting
these theme parks. These parks are extremely popular as well as the more distant Disney Land
and Disney World, but within these parks lay several dangers. I tried to research actual data
regarding kids and accidents at these theme parks; however, according to Congressman Markey
(D-Mass), he states that the numbers are under reported, so I decided to focus on safety tips
instead.

Make sure everyone in the family reads posted rules carefully. Keep all body parts (hands, arms
legs, long hair, etc.) inside the ride at all times and use the safety equipment provided for each
ride (seat belt, shoulder harness, lap bar, chain etc.) Hold onto handrails, when provided.
They’re part of the safety equipment designed to keep you safely in place. Remain in the ride
until it comes to a final stop at the unloading point. If a ride stops temporarily, due to a
breakdown or other reason, stay seated and wait for the ride to start up again or for an operator
to give you further instructions. Stop riding before you get excessively tired to avoid accidents.
Never ride while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Follow your instincts. If something
about a ride seems out of whack, don’t ride it.

For parents with smaller children, don’t put your child on a ride that they are scared of. When a
child gets scared, their first impulse is to get away from whatever frightened them. When
preschoolers are asked what they should do if they get scared while a ride is moving, their
universal answer is, “get off the ride”. Children are hurt every year doing exactly that. Watch the
ride with your child before boarding and read the warning signs aloud to them. Point out the
operator and the loading/unloading locations. Talk to your child about what to do if your child
gets frightened while the ride is moving. Tell them not to get out of the car. Explain that
amusement rides might seem scary, but they’re not dangerous as long as riders hold on tight,
stay seated and keep their hands and feet inside. Never sneak children onto rides they’re too
small or too young for. Ride manufacturers’ restrictions take into account the forces exerted by
the ride and the intellectual maturity required to ride safely. A smaller/younger child may not be
physically or developmentally able to stay safely seated.

Most importantly while visiting these parks stay hydrated. Drink lots of fluids, especially on those
really hot summer days. You may not realize that you’re getting dehydrated because of all the
fun. When your body tells you it’s thirsty, the body is already 2.5 quarts of fluid depleted. You
and your children should be drinking approximately 7 glasses of water a day to keep properly
hydrated.

You may have no control over amusement park ride accidents due to mechanical reasons, but
you do have control over which ones we allow our families to ride. Read through the above
safety tips and learn how you can help keep your family safe. Remember, there are no
mandatory federal standards for the design of amusement rides. Amusement rides are neither
childproof, nor child safe. Use good judgment when deciding whether your kids should ride.

Remember Safety First!