JEDDAH, 17 February 2005 — Amusement centers and fun fairs should be safer under a new set of rules issued by Civil Defense requiring regular inspections of machines in use and an ambulance, clinic and medical team present during working hours.
The policy also requires contracted maintenance on the equipment with appropriate companies, as well as routine, three-month inspections that will certify all is in proper working condition. Rosters also will be kept of staff members dealing with the machinery.
Sulaiman Al-Abdullah, manager of Toon City in City Plaza, told Arab News that not all amusement centers need the same services.
“The larger, freestanding fun fairs with more dangerous amusements do need medical clinics. Toon City is located within a center, and that offers better security,” he said. “Toon City has games for two- to three-year-old children that are soft and secure enough to prevent kids from being injured; plus we do a daily and monthly inspections of our machines.”
Al-Abdullah said his company is still working out the details for compliance with the new regulations. “I think the best solution is to contract with a clinic to help with its medical team and ambulances in case of injuries,” he said. “However, we have to commend the Civil Defense for the role it is playing in ensuring the safety of those visiting amusement centers.”
The amusement center manager says that Civil Defense should form a special unit to deal with the technical aspects of the equipment — especially with the growing number of these businesses.
“We hear of many accidents happening at fun fairs that cause severe injuries in some cases and death in others,” said Abu Saleh. “I heard about accidents in the Eastern Province over the Eid Al-Fitr. About 10 people were severely injured.”
He also supports the change.
“The new Civil Defense regulations will help to aid injured people,” he said. “Calling for an ambulance wastes time, and that delay could cost lives. That won’t happen if amusement centers have qualified medical services on site.”
