Took a ride in one once.

You can steer. Just raise and lower the craft until you catch right air currents.

It depends on if they are racing or not, which if they are they put those racing spikes on all sides just in case, you know like the Chariots with the blades on the wheels.

They occasionally do bump off each other, usually during mass ascent at the Balloon Fiesta.

Those are houses. About 2500 sq. ft., two floors, no basement.

It's the biggest park in the neighborhood, mostly grass, plus a dog run area, and a small playground. The three smaller parks get many more visitors than this one. It's a waste of space and water, IMO, because people don't use it very much. Maybe there just aren't many kids near it?

I dunno if you can find the video online, but many years ago, when I was on a balloon crew, a balloon (not "my" balloon) was up when it was too windy, and the envelope collapsed partway, the throat, where the fire shoots up, was closed, and the balloon was falling. Near the end, the pilot in desperation, burned, and snapped half of the cables holding the basket. The basket tipped, and they all fell to their death. So, yeah, like any transportation method, there are dangers.