• Choose rides appropriate for the rider's abilities, sensitivities and health. 
• Obey listed age, height, weight, and health restrictions. 
• Observe and follow all posted ride safety rules and instructions. These were created by the rides' designers and manufacturers. 
• Keep hands, arms, legs, feet inside the ride at all times. 
• Secure loose hair, clothing and objects. 
• Remain seated in the ride until it comes to a complete stop and you are instructed to exit. 
• Follow all verbal instructions given by ride operators or provided by recorded announcements. 
• Always use safety equipment provided and never attempt to wriggle free of or loosen restraints or other safety devices. 
• Parents with young children should make sure that their children can understand safe and appropriate ride behavior. - Never force anyone, especially children, to ride attractions they don't want to ride. 
• If you see any unsafe behavior or condition on a ride, report it to a ride supervisor or manager immediately. 
• Report injuries to a ride supervisor. Contact the DELEG Amusement Safety Unit at (517) 241-9273 for more information.

More than 1,000 amusement rides are licensed in Michigan including water slides and go-karts, carnival rides and roller coasters. The state also licenses 240 carnivals, amusement parks, family entertainment centers and aquatic centers that operate these rides. New attractions are on their way to Michigan for the 2010 amusement season, including two swing rides 80 feet high.

DELEG licenses more than 1,400 inspectors statewide and regulates training of the ride operators. Amusement ride riding is among the safest of activities and has long been a part of summer fun, but still injuries and risk of death can occur.

"Carnival rides in Michigan are held to the highest safety standards but we also ask riders to do their part and remember ‘safety first' while enjoying the rides because even one injury is one too many," said Pruss. "Unfortunately, accidents do occur and about 30 injuries are reported to the DELEG annually compared to the estimated 50 million to 100 millions rides taken in Michigan each year."

The vast majority of these injuries are caused by the riders themselves and are preventable. A recent study of nearly 500 injuries reported to DELEG over the last 12 years showed that 80 percent were caused by the rider's own actions. The remaining 20 percent were caused by the ride operators or failures of the equipment or a combination of both.

It is important to be aware that inflatable "bounce houses", bungee jumps and climbing walls are not regulated in Michigan. Users of these devices should use the same recommendations and be especially alert to the condition of the device and the attentiveness of the operators.

There are many very good amusement ride safety resources for kids and adults.

Two good websites are especially for kids: 

• SaferParks, "Kids Club" - http://www.saferparks.org/kids_club/ 
• Disney, "Wild About Safety" - http://disney.go.com/safety/

More adult information can be found at these websites: 

• SaferParks - http://www.saferparks.org 
• IAAPA Safety Suggestions - http://www.iaapa.org/safety/safetyweek.asp 
• Michigan Amusement Safety - http://www.michigan.gov/amusement

For more information about DELEG, please visit www.michigan.gov/deleg. Follow DELEG at http://twitter.com/MIDELEG or visit the "DELEG" page on Facebook and Become a Fan.