As Fair Season Approaches, Bronson Urges Floridians To Heed Fair Ride Safety Warnings
For Information, Contact:
Terence McElroy
(850) 488-3022
September 15, 2009
TALLAHASSEE - With county fair season about to begin, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is reminding the public to pay attention to and abide by safety rules involving amusement rides.
While the majority of accidents and mishaps on rides at county fairs, local carnivals and permanent amusement parks have historically been attributable to patron error, an estimated 92 percent of the 165 reportable accidents last year were caused by riders failing to heed safety warnings.
“For years we’ve been the number one amusement ride destination in the country, and as summer comes to a close, the fair ride activity only increases with the onset of county fairs and local carnivals,” Bronson said. “We want Florida citizens and visitors to enjoy our amusement rides, go kart tracks and water slides, but it is important that they heed safety warnings while on rides.”
Among the most important:
- Read all safety signs, including height requirements.
- Wait behind safety lines before boarding a ride and use safety restraints, such as seat belts, shoulder harnesses, lap bars and helmets if they are provided.
- Remain seated, and keep hands, feet, arms, legs and all belongings inside the ride until it comes to a complete stop.
- Supervise children and talk with them about the ride so they know what to expect. Don’t force them to go on a ride if they are uncomfortable with it.
All amusement rides, with the exception of those at Disney World, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens and Sea World, are inspected and permitted by Bronson’s Bureau of Fair Rides. The four largest parks are exempt by state law from inspection, but the department nonetheless participates in a consultation program with them on safety issues.
Permanent amusement rides – those located at a fixed site – are inspected twice a year while traveling rides, such as those used at carnivals and local fairs, are inspected each time they are moved and set up.
Currently, there are 203 permanent locations and 161 temporary or traveling amusement ride companies operating in Florida.
During fiscal year 2008-2009, the Bureau of Fair Rides conducted 9,820 inspections, issued 306 “stop-operation” orders for unsafe, uninsured or uninspected rides and investigated 165 accidents.
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