5 rollercoaster safety tips that should be kept in mind

The success of amusement parks hinges on how well they entertain, amaze and astound the visitors. And majority of people stepping into theme parks would never miss the opportunity to ride the rollercoasters.

But a few such joyrides end in tragedy like the recent one in Sweden where one person was killed and many, included children, were injured in a rollercoaster accident. The mishap happened when the jetline of the rollercoaster derailed during a ride.

It may be noted that these kinds of accidents are triggered not only by technical glitches or machine failure but also due to visitors and riders failing to follow certain rudimentary rules.

Here’s a lowdown on the dos and don’ts while having fun in a rollercoaster ride.

The basic safety tip is to remain seated till the ride is over and to keep hands, legs and head inside the ride at all times. The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) lists the rollercoaster safety measures by starting off with these two tips for the riders.

No photos please
Don’t ever think of clicking pictures while riding a rollercoaster. Taking photos can put your life and other riders’ lives at risk. If the phone or camera slips out of your hand, it can fall on other riders and cause injuries.

Let it go, literally
If your wallet or cell phone falls off from your pocket, don’t try to retrieve it. An impulsive reaction to get hold of the wallet or phone can result in accidents.

Follow instructions without fail
Be careful while riding the rollercoaster with children and follow all instructions given by the park authorities. Make sure that your children have the requisite height and weight to enter the ride.

Sit properly
The rollercoaster accidents may happen when there is sudden acceleration or while maneuvering a curve. The chances of injuring your back and neck are pretty high if you are not sitting properly in the ride. Always keep your eyes looking forward and don’t stoop during the ride.

Have a firm grip
As your body would move to and fro while riding the rollercoaster, have a firm grip on the hand rails before you.