Safety First: Inspectors Check Tulsa State Fair Rides

The Tulsa State Fair opened Thursday, kicking off “11 Days of Awesome.”

Before the gates opened inspectors were hard at work making sure the rides are safe.

Once a ride passes inspection, it gets a sticker. The ones that don't pass get a red tag, meaning the ride must be fixed and re-inspected before anyone can get on.

In case you're wondering, ride operators must be certified. They'll be wearing badges to let you know they are approved to operate the ride they're working, and the name of the ride will be on the back of their badge.

Inspectors point out some responsibility for safety falls to parents.

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Chief Ride Inspector Randy McGinnis said, "They need to know their limits, are they qualified to ride the ride? And that's where we have more incidents. People, they get on the rides, and they'll have, their parents will actually have their children tippy toe or put something in their shoes, they're not tall enough to ride."

Inspectors will be walking around throughout the fair, making sure everything runs smoothly.