Special Report: Carnival Concerns

Carnivals are all about the food, the games, and of course the rides. You might think your child is safe once they're strapped in, but our undercover investigation found that not everyone who's supposed to make sure your child is ok, is paying attention. 7's Nancy Chen shows us these "Carnival Concerns."

It's a great way to spend the day, taking the kids to a carnival for some fun!

Like most parents, you assume everything is running safely, that all the rides have passed inspection and all the workers are trained.

But we found while the rides may be working properly, the people paid to ensure your child's safety are not.

7News went undercover, and look what we found. This ride operator doesn't even look up from his phone as the Zipper ride quickly spins past him.

Here's a Ferris Wheel operator texting as the carts loop right in front of him.

Time after time at carnivals all across the state, we caught ride operators, who are paid to pay attention, texting and talking on their cell phones instead, potentially putting your children's safety in jeopardy!

In this undercover video you can see how this ride operator is texting while riders fly high in the sky.

And this carousel operator keeps his eyes down instead of on all the young kids on his ride.

Families we spoke with were upset.

Angela Ouellet, Carnival Goer

"That's my child's life you have in your hands and you're too busy on the phone texting. No, not appropriate at all."

Jean Leighton, Grandparent

"It's dangerous. They need to pay attention to the kids on the rides."

Nationally, the amusement park industry has strict standards, saying it's unacceptable for workers to talk or text while operating a ride.

Erik Beard, Attorney and Amusement Industry Expert

"The danger is that the operator would miss something that requires attention. It is potentially very dangerous."

In Massachusetts, the Department of Public Safety issues licenses to all fairs that operate in the state and requires that companies that operate amusement rides train all of their operators to "give their full attention to any ride they operate."

Thomas Gatzunis, Department of Public Safety Commissioner

"Full attention means just that, full attention, paying attention to what they are doing, observing the ride and the patrons that are on that ride, not texting on their phone."

But it is ultimately up to individual carnival companies to make sure their ride operators are following the rules.

Thomas Gatzunis, Department of Public Safety Commissioner

"It's critical to ensure the safety of those patrons on that ride."

The best advice to parents is to keep a close eye on your child on any ride and also watch the ride operator. If you see them texting or on the phone, you should report it to the carnival's management immediately.