Five amusement tips for kids: how not to have a bad day

By
Kathryn Woodcock
– June 26, 2012Posted in: Human Factors, Public Info
TORONTO, June 26, 2012 – As the Canada Day long weekend approaches, many families may be thinking about heading to an amusement park or summer festival for a fun day […]

TORONTO, June 26, 2012 – As the Canada Day long weekend approaches, many families may be thinking about heading to an amusement park or summer festival for a fun day riding stomach-dropping roller coasters, Ferris wheels and spinning swings. Rides can be thrilling, and even a little scary, but most of the sensation of danger is a clever illusion, says Kathryn Woodcock, an amusement ride expert at Ryerson University.

Professor Woodcock, director of the Ryerson’s THRILL lab (Tools for Holistic Ride Inspection Learning and Leadership), says kids should remember a few things to make their day safe and fun:

Tips for kids:

  1. Follow the rules, not the other kids. The rules are to help you have fun, not spoil it.
  2.  Watch out when the rules say things like “hang on to the handles”, “slide only feet first”, “stay seated”, “don’t rock the seat”, “get rid of gum before you ride”, or “no flipping”. When they post those rules, it is because they know those actions can cause kids to get hurt.
  3. Choose rides that are fun for you. Don’t go on a boring ride and try to make it exciting by doing it upside down and backwards. Chances are you can be hurt or may even be sent home and not allowed to come back.
  4. Watch out for the little kids. If you see a little kid that is doing something dangerous, warn the ride operator or another adult so someone can help. If you see older kids pushing, shoving and spoiling the fun for others on the ride, tell the ride operator. The operator can direct the older kids to a ride that is more suited to their age group.
  5. Read the signs and teach your parents some safety rules. Even adults get hurt when they put their hands in the air or don’t ride properly.

See also “Five Amusement Tips for Parents”.

For media interviews on this topic:

Kathryn Woodcock
Director, THRILL Laboratory
Associate Professor, School of Occupational and Public Health Ryerson University
kathryn.woodcock [at] ryerson.ca
www.ryerson.ca/woodcock
@THRILL_Lab

MEDIA CONTACT:

Suelan Toye
Public Affairs
Ryerson University
Office: 416-979-5000 x 7161
stoye@ryerson.ca
@RyersonNews

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About Kathryn Woodcock

Dr. Kathryn Woodcock is Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, teaching, researching, and consulting in the area of human factors engineering / ergonomics particularly applied to amusement rides and attractions (https://thrilllab.blog.torontomu.ca), and to broader occupational and public safety issues of performance, error, investigation and inspection, and to disability and accessibility.