COLUMBUS Ohio – Just in time for the busiest season of the year at the nations theme parks and fairgrounds, a report on the frequency of injuries suffered by children on amusement rides.
The study by researchers in the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital found that, from 1990 to 2010, 92,885 children under the age of 18 were treated in emergency rooms for amusement ride injuries.
More than 70 percent of the injuries occurred during the warm months, more than 20 injuries per day between May and September, the study’s senior author and center director Dr. Gary Smith said.
The study in the May print issue of Clinical Pediatrics , found that head and neck injuries were most frequent (28 percent), followed by the arms (24 percent), face (18 percent) and legs (17 percent).
Serious injuries requiring hospitalization are relatively rare, Smith said, but occur once every three days on average during the May-September period.
Injuries were most likely to be sustained as the result of a fall, by hitting a body part on a ride or being hit by something while riding, Smith said.
Nearly one-third of injuries occurred at a fixed-site ride, such as a theme parks, 29 percent on mobile rides at state and local fairgrounds and 12 percent at what the study calls “mall” rides, temporary setups in shopping center parking lots.
To stay safe on amusement rides, Smith says:
Always follow all posted height, age, weight and health restrictions.
Make sure to follow any special seating order and/or loading instructions.
Always use safety equipment such as seat belts and safety bars.
Keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times.
Know your child. If you don’t think he/she will be able to follow the rules, keep him/her off the ride.
Trust your instincts. If you are worried about the safety of the ride, choose a different activity.
Avoid “mall rides” if they are over a hard, unpadded surface or if they don’t have a child restraint such as a seat belt.