Safety Tips for BC Carnival Midways and Amusement Parks
Carnivals and amusement parks bring droves of people, young and old, out of their usual routines to look for fun and excitement. That’s certainly our aim wherever we take Shooting Star Amusements’ midway of rides and games. We love to see miles and miles of smiles.
We also want everyone to have a safe time. Without safety, there’s no fun at all.
We take our obligations to you very seriously. At the same time, we can help you to help yourself with some amusement park safety tips that make for an even better experience.
Follow Instructions
Pretty obvious, really, but it’s amazing how many times people ignore instructions. Amusement park safety is built on regulations.
- Keep your hands and feet, and anything you wouldn’t want to lose, inside the ride.
- Don’t bring a camera, phone, or anything that could fall out of your hands or pocket.
- Obey the height regulations and buddy systems the operators have in place.
- A good idea is to tie or pin back long hair for the bigger, faster rides.
- If you see someone breaking the rules, or you see something you think might be out of place, tell the operators.
The great news is that the chances of being hurt on a ride are incredibly low – only 1 in 24 million – and the risk of a fatal injury is even less – 1 in 750 million. Way better than flying on a plane!
Follow the safety instructions at the amusement park or carnival, listen to the operators, and those odds remain the same. Ignore them and the odds shorten.
Listen to Your Body
If your body is giving any sign that you should take it gently for a moment, do it. It’s easy in the excitement to push yourself too hard. Dizziness, nausea and dehydration occur more commonly than you might think.
Take time between rides. Plan your day with scheduled times to take breaks or do other things.
If it’s hot, sit in the shade for a while.
Don’t forget to eat and drink. And then… stay off the big rides for 30-60 minutes after eating.
Even if you have a schedule, listen to how your body is feeling in the moment and adjust your activity to stay comfortable.
“Listening” to Your Kids’ Bodies
Kids get excited and it is so fun to watch. Just remember that they get dehydrated quickly and can suffer from all the stimulation around them. Look for warning signs like them screaming and crying without any provocation, or even when someone does something nice for them. It might be time to find a quieter, shady spot to eat, drink and find balance again.
If your child gets red in the face, you know that’s not a good thing. It’s time to take everyone to a food and drink vendor, get some refreshments, and find a seat.
Safety Together
Sticking together is the best way to stay safe in amusement park or carnival. Have a simple plan that everyone knows.
- Have an agreed meeting place if the group becomes separated. Don’t rely on mobile phones, especially with children who don’t have them.
- Assign a buddy to accompany each child.
- Leave contact information in each child’s pockets or pinned to clothing.
- Be sure your phone is fully charged when you leave the house.
- Before enjoying any activities, make note of where the first aid and lost child areas are.
If you ever need to know more about amusement park safety, click here. See you at the fair for some awesome – and safe – fun!
Creative Commons Attribution: Permission is granted to repost this article in its entirety with credit to Shooting Star Amusements and a clickable link back to this page.
