The Sharptown Fire Department considers the safety of our guests our major concern and first priority. We have an excellent safety record and safety training program in place. Our personnel are trained to strictly enforce height restrictions imposed by the ride manufacturers or the State of MD. Safety signs are posted on each ride informing the rider of height restrictions and warning of certain health risks for that particular ride.
All rides are inspected by the State of Maryland before each yearly carnival. In addition a daily inspection checklist is done by a specified staff member each day and our safety coordinator routinely inspects the rides during operation. Some equipment is also subject to non-destructive testing and strip-down inspections, involving magnetic particle, ultra-sound, and x-ray of hidden components. These tests are performed once a year by a qualified testing company. Also during winter maintenance the rides are serviced and repaired as necessary.
According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC)
carnivals remain one of the safest forms of family
entertainment. The CPSC reports more injuries from sports,
bicycling, skiing, watercraft, snowmobiling and other similar
forms of recreation. It is also reported that most ride related
injuries are caused by rider behavior and failure to follow
instructions rather than mechanical failure or operator error.
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING RULES WHEN ATTENDING A CARNIVAL
READ posted rules. OBSERVE age, height and weight restrictions. FOLLOW the operator's instructions. USE safety equipment such as seat belts, shoulder
harness, lap bars or chains when provided. KEEP hands, arms and legs inside ride at all times. STAY in ride until it comes to a complete stop.
