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Amusement Park Injuries

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Statistical Data on Amusement Park Fatalities and Injuries

• In 2004, mobile amusement rides accounted for an estimated 2,500 non-occupational injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms.
• In 2004, inflatable rides, such as inflatable slides and bounces, accounted for an estimated 4,900 non-occupational injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms.
• Inflatable ride injuries had a statistically significant upward trend over the period from 1997 to 2004.
• From 1987 to 2002, for mobile and fixed-site amusement rides combined, there were an estimated 4.4 amusement-ride fatalities per year. According to the CPSC reports, there were five(5) amusement ride fatalities in 2004 and five(5) in 2003.

Statistical information provided in the Amusement Ride-Related Injuries and Deaths in the United States: 2005 Update  published September 7, 2005.

Potential causes for amusement park accidents:

(1) mechanical failures: missing safety pins, broken welds or structural components, exposed electrical wires, malfunctioning lap bars or other safety restraints, failure to shutoff.

(2) operator behavior: abruptly stopping the ride, improperly assembling or maintaining the ride;

(3) consumer behavior: intentionally rocking cars, standing up, defeating safety restraints, sitting improperly, holding child above the safety restraint,

(4) other: rides that injure people while apparently functioning normally, without any unusual behavior on the part of the consumer or operator. For example, eye hemorrhage and

(5) combination: operator suddenly stopping a ride when he heard an unusual thumping sound due to a bent rail.

These causes were outlined in a report published by the CPSC. (more information)