Keeping a few simple safety tips in mind will help your family to make the most of your day at the amusement park.
Everyone loves a vacation, especially when this time away is spent at an amusement park. Many families look forward to such trips for weeks, or even months, and have planned out every last detail in order to ensure the perfect get-away! Hotels are carefully researched before the room is booked. Suitcases are carefully packed to include every last item that might be important or useful. And, attractions are excitedly discussed in anticipation of arriving at the park. The only thing left to do is to consider a few safety tips to turn this visit to the amusement park into the vacation of a lifetime.
Parents everywhere wisely teach their children not to talk to strangers, and upon arriving at an amusement park, families will encounter literally thousands of unknown faces. Remind children that while they are spending the day in a wonderful, friendly, fun environment, strangers are still strangers. Point out several of the park's employees to the children, and discuss their uniforms, as well as ways to recognize which people work at the park. Explain to children that if they are lost, or need help for any reason, these are the people that they should ask for assistance. Employee uniforms may be as simple as polo shirts and khaki shorts, so be sure to also point out name tags, hats, or any other identifying traits that will help children recognize those people that are to be trusted in an emergency. Also point out locations where children could easily find an employee, such as stores, popcorn and snack carts, or beneath huge bouquets of balloons for sale in walkways. Inform children that if there is an emergency, they should not only find one of these employees, but stay with them, and remain in a heavily populated place. Explain that if an employee wants the child to go into a remote area, he should ask if they can stay closer to the crowds, or he should approach another employee. Under no circumstances should the child leave the park with anyone.
Another thing to keep in mind is that a stranger who is able to call a child by name appears to be less of a stranger. Think twice before allowing your child to wear a shirt, team jersey, or jacket with his or her name on it. If someone were to call your child's name, it would catch the child's attention, be a distraction, and make a stranger's story even more convincing.
If you have a cell phone, keep it with you during your visit to the amusement park, and have your children carry your phone number, with area code, pinned inside their pocket. Even children who have this number memorized may be unable to recall it in an emergency situation, or when they are upset. By doing this, if you are separated, your child and the park employees will be able to easily locate you, and reunite you with your youngster. Even if you are not traveling with children, this is a convenient means of locating a lost spouse or teenager as well.
In the event that your child does become separated from you, it is important that you have a recent photo handy to show to park employees or emergency personnel. Write down a clear description of what each child is wearing that day so that these people can assist you in quickly locating your child. Do not depend on your memory to tell you what clothes your family members put on that morning.
As soon as you enter the park, choose a convenient, and easy to recognize location to meet your family if you are separated. A large landmark or attraction that is easily visible from around the park is a good choice. Or, consider meeting at a location that will be clearly marked on signs throughout the park, such as first aid, the exit, or the park's most popular attraction. Wherever you choose to meet, remind each other throughout the day of your plan, and point out this landmark to children several times.
Another way to stay safe at the park is to consider the weather, and how much of your time will be spent out of doors. If you will be walking a lot throughout the day, be sure to wear shoes that will not rub blisters. If you will be outside all day, be sure to wear sunscreen and sunglasses, or possibly even a hat. Also keep in mind that children will sunburn much more quickly than adults, and should be covered in water-proof sunblock before entering the park. If you forget to take this precaution, you can probably purchase sunscreen in one of the gift shops, first aid, or a baby changing and nursing station. You can also find bandaids in these same locations if you find that your shoes are not as comfortable as you might have hoped. Also remember to drink plenty of water if you will be spending much time in the heat. Children can dehydrate quickly, and should be given plenty of water throughout the day. Almost every restaurant or snack cart will give you free ice water, and many will sell bottled water.
When deciding which rides and attractions to visit, pay attention to any posted restrictions and guidelines. For example, if a roller coaster warns those with heart problems not to ride, cardiac patients are better off to heed the warning. Obviously, these warnings were posted for a reason. Look carefully for and pay attention to guidelines concerning height, weight, and health condition. Simply because a park attendant does not stop someone from boarding a ride does not mean that it is safe for that person. If some members of your family want to go on a particular ride, while others do not, or cannot, most parks are very accommodating. Your entire family will be able to wait in the line together, and then separate as some members get on the ride. The attraction attendant will be able to direct non-riders to the end of the ride, where they can meet up with the rest of their family. If children are riding alone, be sure to instruct them not to leave the exiting area until you are there to meet them.
While you will certainly want to make the most of your day at the amusement park by spending every possible minute inside, be careful not to be the last ones out at the end of the day. Leaving the park at the same time as groups of other guests will prevent you from being in a dark parking lot alone. If you find that your car won't start, or that you have another emergency once in the parking lot, there will probably be security guards driving around to offer assistance, although you may have to wait a few minutes before they visit your area of the lot.
Following a few simple safety guidelines will make your trip to the amusement park more enjoyable for your family. Make the most of this memorable time spent together, and plan ahead for a day that is not only fun-filled, but safe as well.
