Family Fun But Always Remember Safety First

Parents naturally look for activities they can enjoy with their children. Amusement parks offer a day of fun, usually for one price. Some families stay at theme parks for a full week or longer. There are rides for every age. Sounds perfect, right? Not necessarily.


You only have to pick up a newspaper, turn on your computer or your t.v. to see an article on how a patron or worker at an amusement or theme park was injured or killed on a ride.

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (I.A.A.P.A.) states that nearly 300 million guests visited amusement parks in 2008. Their statistics show that there were 1343 ride related injuries. Of those, 80 were described as serious requiring "...overnight treatment at a hospital..."

That doesn't sound like a lot of injuries out of 300 million patrons. What if you or your loved ones were included in those statistics? Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the roller coaster you are riding will provide a fun ride with no injuries. But it is a certainty that if you or a loved one is injured the emotional roller coaster will affect you for many years.You can and should take steps to lower your risk of injury. Some tips to remember when visiting an amusement park or theme park are:


Read the rules and restrictions posted at each ride. Many have age and height restrictions. Some also have guidelines for patrons with a history of cardiac problems and other known conditions. Check with your doctor before you step onto one of these rides.

· Make sure you are properly restrained and that the restraints fit properly.

· Children should always ride with a responsible adult.

· Securely latch any lapbars and hold tightly to handrails.

· Keep all parts of your body inside the ride.


· Never, never stand up.

· Do not ride while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

· Trust your instincts! If the ride does not look like it has been properly maintained or if the operator doesn't seem to be paying attention to whether riders are properly restrained, pass it by! This is particularly important on rides at fairs and carnivals.

Again, while these tips might help you avoid an injury, rides spinners can still malfunction and accidents happen.

If you or a loved one have been injured on a ride at an amusement or theme park, you need to talk to an attorney who sees amusement park injuries on a regular basis. An experienced personal injury lawyer can advise you as to your rights and work to obtain fair compensation for your injuries. Believe me, amusement parks and theme parks have attorneys ready to protect their interests and they play hardball. You should not deal with them yourself. I invite you to visit my website at www.DreamLegalTeam.com and fill out an online consultation form or call my office at 1-800-603-6833. It is quick, easy and free! I would like to say fun but I can guarantee your call will be painless.