Keeping Your Kids Safe at Amusement Parks

We expect a trip to the amusement park to be fun, entertaining, and memorable. When tragedy strikes in this fun and jovial atmosphere, it’s especially horrific.

A recent example shows how catastrophic theme park accidents can be. The incident occurred on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at Kings Island theme park outside of Cincinnati. A man allegedly was inside a restricted area near the Banshee roller coaster, which is an inverted roller coaster where the seats and riders hang beneath the track. According to news reports, he lost his keys on the ride and went into the restricted area to retrieve them. While in the restricted area, he was hit by the ride, which can reach speeds up to 68 mph. He was discovered on the ground with a critical injury and died two days later at a hospital.

While we have fun at theme parks and water parks this summer, it’s important to keep in mind that they have the potential to cause serious harm. Here’s how you can keep yourself and your kids safe at amusement parks.

• Make sure your kids remain seated in all rides at all times. 
• In addition to making sure your child remains seated, be sure that the safety strap is used, and that there is no room for your child to unlatch the security buckle.
• Make sure your kids are age-appropriate for the particular ride. The five-year-old who jumped off the moving kiddie roller coaster ride did so because he was scared and wanted out.
• Is this your child’s first time riding a ride like that? Leaving them alone may not be your best choice. When possible, ride with your child.
• Tell kids to face forward at all times, and to listen to the instructions.
• Make sure your child stays away from all restricted areas
• If your child has been injured at an amusement park, compensation could be slow and unyielding depending several factors of the park. If it is a larger reputable amusement park, your results will be much different than a smaller, independently run amusement venue like a carnival or fair. Enlisting the advice of a New York attorney will help you settle, regardless of the size.

When the safety of our kids is in the hands of others, we know that no one takes better precautions than we do. Let’s do our best to make sure our kids know the rules of the parks so they can stay safe and enjoy the rides for years to come.