Santa Claus Parade Accident Kills 4-Year-Old Girl In Yarmouth, N.S.
"This is really gonna affect the town."

YARMOUTH, N.S. — A four-year-old girl is dead after a tragic accident at a Santa Claus parade in Yarmouth, N.S., police said Saturday, as a witness described a scene of terror that shattered the small port town's holiday celebration.

The girl, who has not been publicly identified, was running along a passing parade float on one of the town's main thoroughfares when she fell underneath it just before 7 p.m. local time, police said.

She was rushed to a local hospital by paramedics but was pronounced dead a short time later.

Cpl. Dal Hutchinson, a public information officer with the Nova Scotia RCMP, described the event as "very, very tragic — and also very traumatic for everyone there.

"My understanding is there was a large group of people there — families — watching the Santa Claus parade when this incident took place,'' Hutchinson said in an interview Saturday night.

He added that anyone who may have witnessed the incident should talk about it with others and seek support to deal with the trauma.

"Our thoughts are with this little girl's family during this very, very difficult time.''

Vance Webb, a retired machinist who lives on the outskirts of Yarmouth, attended Saturday's parade with his wife, stepson and three grandchildren.

Everywhere I saw, there were hundreds of people crying.Vance Webb

"We were just watching the parade, and then about 30 feet away, I hear — all of a sudden, the float stops, and I kinda see something on the ground,'' Webb said in a phone interview.

"Then all of a sudden, we just heard screaming. It was pretty close to us.''

Webb said the entire scene descended into "mayhem'' as people realized what had happened.

"People within 50 feet of it — none of us are OK. All the adults were crying. Everywhere I saw, there were hundreds of people crying,'' said Webb.

"This is really gonna affect the town.''

Parade organizers did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday night.

Santa Claus Christmas Parade Float Kills Four-year-old Girl  Story The Story Is After Our Evidence That We Have Been Trying To Address This

We Warned....and nobody wants to listen.  How many more must become road kill before we have a Nationwide Safety Standard that all "Stakeholders" must follow?

We are ready to help

On November 13 We posted This...and we were informed of a Amazing publication from Penn State University:

Witnesses describe terror as girl, 4, dies after falling under Santa Claus parade float in Nova Scotia

YARMOUTH, N.S.
The Canadian Press
Published November 24, 2018 Updated 1 day ago
Comments

A four-year-old girl is dead after a tragic accident at a Santa Claus parade in Yarmouth, N.S., police said Saturday, as a witness described a scene of terror that shattered the small port town’s holiday celebration.

The girl, who has not been publicly identified, was running along a passing parade float on one of the town’s main thoroughfares when she fell underneath it just before 7 p.m. local time, police said.

She was rushed to a local hospital by paramedics but was pronounced dead a short time later.

Cpl. Dal Hutchinson, a public information officer with the Nova Scotia RCMP, described the event as “very, very tragic — and also very traumatic for everyone there.

“My understanding is there was a large group of people there — families — watching the Santa Claus parade when this incident took place,” Hutchinson said in an interview Saturday night.

He added that anyone who may have witnessed the incident should talk about it with others and seek support to deal with the trauma.

“Our thoughts are with this little girl’s family during this very, very difficult time.”

Vance Webb, a retired machinist who lives on the outskirts of Yarmouth, attended Saturday’s parade with his wife, stepson and three grandchildren.

“We were just watching the parade, and then about 30 feet away, I hear — all of a sudden, the float stops, and I kinda see something on the ground,” Webb said in a phone interview.

“Then all of a sudden, we just heard screaming. It was pretty close to us.”

Webb said the entire scene descended into “mayhem” as people realized what had happened.

“People within 50 feet of it — none of us are OK. All the adults were crying. Everywhere I saw, there were hundreds of people crying,” said Webb.

“This is really gonna affect the town.”

Parade organizers did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday night.

 In 1971 J. Standard Baker Quoted " Drivers Towing Trailers  Are Four (4) Times As Unsafe As Those In Cars Alone! 

got this questionnaire....from a Colledge group in Colorado..Note: If we were not in existence....nobody would be here to answer these questions.....look at the pictures all were killed except the political Republican Who has a neck brace on...he does not care.... on unsafe hayrides and parades:

Please give credit to our organizations

All suggestions are "Suggested" and in the absence of a National Safety Standards our recommendations are to be considered recommendations and our suggested best practices as nobody else seems to want to address.

The Facts: Every engineer even the Ohio State Attorney General agrees.....
Every Utility Trailer Company puts these words into the writing of their handbook.

Like A 10 Step program that clearly states the obvious:

"Trailers are not meant for people and are meant for property carrying purposes" Ron J. Melancon Prove my statement wrong.

Then why are every locality and every government agency allowing anybody on a trailer during hay rides and parades?

Nobody wants to answer our questions:

Why?

However we are the reconized leader as the most informed person on this subject:

Quote from a organization:

"Ron you may be
the BEST INFORMED
person on trailer accidents
I have ever seen. I am trying to compile statistics about parade related deaths and hoped you might be able to help.
My interest is more in the direction of preventing people from throwing candy, as we have had several near misses. WE DID / Parade Float Accidents.

In Every Manual or handbook of trailers sold in the United States it has this statement.

2.2.12 INAPPROPRIATE CARGO

The Trailer may be designed for specific cargo. If your trailer is designed for specific cargo, only carry that cargo in the trailer. A Trailer must not be used to carry certain items, such as people, containers of hazardous substances or containers of flammable substances.

Question One:

What parade and hay ride safety regulation do you know already exist and how are they enforced, especially in the state of Colorado? What happens if the regulations are violated?

Answer:

We do not have a National 10 Step Safety Program ..... If any safety standards exists then it is set up by people who have no idea on what is needed because they never have talked to our organization. Everybody does it "Their Way" but the facts are read my statement. A trailer was never designed to carry people.
What happens when the regulations are violated .......that's the point....nothing. Because of lawyers if no regulations exist then nobody can sue because no violations were made.
Every locality is afraid to enact a 10 Step Safety Program because if they do...and an accident happens then it gives the plaintiff reason to sue.

Question 2:
To your knowledge how many deaths and injuries occur annually in relation to parades and hay rides?

Answer: Over 20 occur and hundreds are injured...for example if the death happens on a family farm on private property then most of the time it is never reported. Not a single locality will report to any organization like ours that a fatality occurred as a result of a dangerous hay ride for parade. In order for us to pick up on the story it must be reported by the news media....and if it is a busy day like 24-7 coverage on political subjects then these stories never bubble to the surface.

We do not always know the outcome due to "NDA" acts.....Non-Disclosure Acts"

Question 3:
In your opinion how pertinent is creating parade safety regulations?

So much so that is why I bought www.paradesafety.org over 8 years ago so I can have the resources and ability to produce a "Hayride and Parade Safety Book" We have given our ideas to Purdue University in order to produce other safety books....We are given credit in these books.

Click Here for the books and my template:
http://www.dangeroustrailers.org/safety-publications.html

So much so...Congressman Cantor promised funding for us.....through the Government and then pulled it away due to pressure from the Farmers and Organizations.
My Nomination:
http://www.old.dangeroustrailers.org/Nomination_By_Senator_…

I went bankrupt because of my efforts and continue to have Credit Issues today because of my decision to help save lives.
I even spent 8,000 on getting this law passed in Georgia....
http://www.dangeroustrailers.org/georgia-house-bill-123-sig…

We can get things done....6 States still do not have a safety chain law.......if we only had funding.

Question 4:
What do you believe parade and hay ride safety regulations should entail?

Again My Statement in Red..
All Stake holders...NTSB.....A Transportation Committee in the House Of Representatives and Senate we all must be locked up in a room and come up with a "Certified" Safety Program Unified all across the United States.

One All Trailers Must be modified to a certified standard in order to carry people.

Two All Trailers Must have at least a 4 foot safety rail

Three All riders must be instructed that once you are on the trailer you must stay on the trailer and cannot jump off or exit the trailer until the parade comes to a designated stop and unloading area.

Four no throwing of any candy or anything from the float.

Five A 5 Foot safe Zone around the trailer must be enforced as the wheels of the trailer are wider then the trailer and will run over walking people next to the trailer.

Six No Flammable items on trailer like paper ......and all must have Fire Supression Canisters at the ready.

Seven All Trailers must have a cage surrounding the tires to prevent children or adults from being sucked into the tires.

Eight All participants of these floats must have a liability insurance policy of at least 1,000,000 of coverage in case their equipment should injure or kill.

Nine a clear action plan to address injuries and who is in charge

Ten The local Fire Marshall's Office of each locality must certify and be in charge of these unregulated operations instead of these non profit groups who do not have any clue or resources to address these critical issues.

Question 5:

Should their be an age limit for children to ride on a float? If so..what should that age limit be set at?

Again My statement in red must be fully understood. I believe that no children under 10 or high limit must not be allowed on a moving trailer.......It is the same as a ride at an amusement ride....if you are not higher than the line you don't ride.

Question 6:
Who is or should be responsible for creating and enforcing parade safety regulations?

Answer Stake Holders including myself should all agree on a reasonable safety standard that all agree can be achievable and then enforcement should be placed on all Fire Marshall's Office which all localities have.

How to pay for the added expenses......through participant fees or the organization that will sponser the evetns....through donations. The fact is....NHTSA has already established a life worth......
A life that is lost is 9.1 Million dollars a life......just one life lost that was preventable....

https://www.transportation.gov/…/2015%20Revised%20Value%20o…

Question 7:
So you think parade safety regulations be dealt with on a more of a local basis or should their be rules implemented on a State To State Basis:

Again my statement in red on top.

I believe a NATIONAL safety standard must be agreed to ......and all ...every State and Every locality must adopt this standard....if they want enhanced standards then so be it.....

The fact is..:
All governments lack clear planning procedures and rules for parades.
All Localities have ignored our statement to the NTSB:

And :

As communities across the country hold holiday parades this time of year, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is calling for localities to adopt more stringent safety measures. The agency issued several recommendations in a November report that found governments and sponsoring entities often lack adequate planning procedures and clear rules for parades.

Question 8:
Is thereor should there be a limit as to how many people are allowed on a float? Sould the number change depending on the saize of the float and the space used by figures, signs and other items?

Answer : Yes ....just like a room....a church....or a concert hall...they all have limits imosed on "how many are allowed to be in them" So should a hay ride or parade float. Absoulty....people should not be packed on them like sardines.
Again all stake holders and myself with the Fire Marshall's office should determine .....but again....my statement in Red must be re-read over and over again.

Question 9:
How do you believe Parade and Hay ride Safety Awareness can be spread?

Answer: I am ready for the job.....my web site was set up to do this.....and again ....I am willing to be that person....and have meetings with local officials.....and yes I am already prepared with a publication ....I just need funding. If we can save one life ...then that is a savings of 8,000,000 to 10,000,000 from lawsuits and loss of lives.

Question 10:
Obviously, accidents happen and cannot always be prevented..but what further actions do you believe could be taken to prevent parade and hay ride related deaths and injuries:

Again my statement in Red...must be acknowledge.....

A car is designed to carry people....right but yes accidents happen and all stake holders have gotten together to address and make cars safer.

A home is designed to hold people ....right? but yes accidents happen and all stake holders have gotten together to address and develop building codes to make them safer right.

"Trailers are not meant for people and are meant for property carrying purposes" Ron J. Melancon Prove my statement wrong.
and nobody has gotten together with us....or any stake holder to try and reduce and prevent these preventable deaths.....and the accidents and loss of life keeps happening.....
Why no action?

Thank you....

Ron J. Melancon

Here is an excerpt from the student manual for the Penn State Homecoming Parade (dates are from this year's manual, the dates vary by year.) New this year, though not mentioned, is the regulation that all safety devices (lights, triangles, and chains) with the exception of the fire extinguisher, are to be attached by the company providing the hay wagons. We did that for two main reasons. 1) We've noticed a declining trend in competence and responsibility from student organizations and our equipment was being lost or damaged. 2) By doing it ourselves, as professions, we are ensuring that the floats meet police department regulations. This was the first full "season" that we did this and our company saved hundreds of dollars. The university's official police and safety inspectors have commended our efforts on safety and efficiency.

Float construction - October 7th, 2018
● Begin at Noon on the Sunday of Homecoming Week - October 7th, 2018.
● Floats must not exceed 8 ft. wide /20 ft. long/15 ft. high
● Floats must meet all Police and Fire Regulations below
10
● Police Regulations for Floats: failure to adhere to these regulations
will result in immediate disqualification, loss of Equipment Deposit
and the float will not be allowed to participate in the parade.
▪ Decorative material used on parade floats shall be flame resistant.
▪ A minimum of one (1) ten pound multi-purpose (ABC) fire
extinguisher shall be provided for each float. The fire extinguisher
must be located in an accessible location, be currently certified and
maintained in operable condition and present at the time of float
inspections.
▪ A generator or battery must power all electrical appliances.
▪ All wiring and wiring connections must be located where they are
not exposed to physical damage, secured to float and maintained in
a safe condition.
▪ All generators must be uncovered and exhaust discharge should
not be located within 3 feet of combustible materials.
▪ Generators shall not be located in enclosed spaces or the
passenger compartment of vehicles. (Ex. Hatchback vehicles with
the hatch open is not an approved location for a gas powered
generator).
▪ All heat sources (lights etc.) must be located away from all
combustible materials.
▪ Safety chains must be affixed to the float and towing vehicle.
Chains must be present and affixed at the time of float inspection.
▪ No open flames are permitted on floats or vehicles.
▪ Individuals riding on the float must be situated in a secure location,
(Seated or provided with a secure handhold e.g. railing, pole,
handle).
▪ Maximum of 20 people can ride on float
▪ If more than 5 people, need to build a secure railing.
▪ A slow moving vehicle “reflective triangle sign” must be affixed to
the rear of the float in an easily visible location.
▪ Normal unobstructed vision to the front, sides and rear of the
towing vehicle must be provided to the vehicle operator.
▪ Working brake lights and turn signals must be present.
▪ All safety devices must be in place and operational at Final
Inspections.
● Fire Regulations for Floats: During Homecoming Week, many
organizations build shelters to protect the float from weather
conditions and to provide security. These shelters may create a fire
hazard.
▪ Any shelters or tents must be fire resistant and away from
flammable materials.
▪ A 10 lb ABC fire extinguisher must be placed near the exit of the
shelter.
● Inspection - October 11th, 2018
11
● On the night prior to the Parade, the organization must have completed
the following tasks:
● The vehicle towing the float must be present for inspection.
● If you are renting a vehicle to tow your float, you must rent it for
Thursday and Friday.
● The vehicle towing the float must have a full tank of gas.
● Slow moving vehicle triangle must be attached to the rear of the
float and visible.
● Flatbed must be properly hitched to the towing vehicle.
● Flatbed brake lights must be attached to rear of the float, working,
and visible.
● Float must have a 10 lb. ABC fire extinguisher on the float, not from
the fraternity house.
● Paper-mâché and airbrushing are prohibited during float
construction.
● Float dimensions may not exceed 8ft wide x 20ft long x 15ft high
(from the ground). If a float fails to meet size requirement, it will be
disqualified and not allowed to participate in the parade.
● Parade Arrival - October 12th, 2018
● No camping out on the Parade Route before 9am on Parade Day.
● Organizations/pairs must report to the parade check-in table at the
designated time with their floats. Floats arriving more than 30 minutes late
will lose their security deposit, and will forfeit any points earned in the
Float and Madhatter Competitions.
● A towing vehicle must accompany every flatbed at all times in the staging
grounds. A float may not be dropped off unless there is already another
towing vehicle present to replace it. The towing vehicle must be filled with
a full tank gas for Parade Day.
● Organizations arriving without the proper safety equipment will not be
considered checked-in and will have 30 minutes to retrieve the equipment
or be disqualified.
● Floats must be complete upon arrival at the staging area for check-in.
● Organization(s) names must appear clearly on the passenger’s side of the
float.
● Vehicles must be turned off upon arriving at staging grounds and may only
be turned on when instructed by a member of the Parade Captain.
● Absolutely no smoking is allowed in the staging area at any time.
● An investment in a rain tarp is highly suggested in the event that it rains in
the staging area before the parade begins.
● All trash should be removed from your area before leaving the staging
area.
● During Parade - October 12th, 2018
● The parade will begin at 6:00pm.
12
● Organizations should not stop during the Parade Route, unless directed to
do so by Homecoming or Police personnel. Floats must complete the
Parade route.
● The Borough Traffic Coordinator strictly prohibits anything being thrown
from a flatbed, float, or vehicle (this includes candy). Deductions will be
made each time any person is caught throwing any item.
● Floats must be pulled by a State College Borough-certified motor vehicle
with a properly working towing hitch.
● Any float deemed unsafe or inappropriate (contains obscene or political
propaganda) by the Homecoming Executive Committee or the State
College Police will be removed from the parade and disqualified from
competition.
● Parade order is determined at random by the Parade Committee.
● Floats not complying with Police and Fire Regulations at float inspection
on parade day will be disqualified and not allowed to participate in the
parade.
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[Ron Melancon]
Ron Melancon Amazing. I have been asking anybody to provide this info. How did you get this
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[Scott Barbara]
Scott Barbara This is a manual that the Penn State Homecoming Office provides to all organizations who want to participate in the annual homecoming parade. Made by students for students in conjunction with police, fire, health and safety, and physical plant coordinators.

I work at Penn State and also with the company that provides the wagons. More is available at the link below, but not all of it applies to floats. https://homecoming.psu.edu/.../2018/05/Event-Competitor.pdf