Travel Tips

Child Safety at the Theme Parks

  

  

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Taking a child to a crowded amusement park is both an exciting adventure and also a reason for preparing beforehand. Sometimes children tend to have an agenda that is not necessarily your own and in the event this occurs where you become separated or any other incident, here are some tips that you should follow.

Before you go to any public place have a conversation with your kids. It's best to have a plan if anything were to happen.

• Tell your child before you get to the park that they should not be alone in the park or become isolated with anyone, even characters in costume. Also tell them not to accept any prizes, offers, or gifts from anyone until they have checked first with you. Children should also be cautioned not to engage in conversation with or offer assistance to anyone until they have checked with you first.

• Tell your children if they are approached by anyone who tries to take them away to yell, "This person is not my father/mother/guardian!"

• Talk to your children about who is able to help them if they become lost, need assistance, or are in trouble. Examples of these people may be park personnel with nametags or mothers with children. Point them out when you get to the park so they know exactly who you are talking about.

And if the worst should happen and you lose your child while at a theme park immediately report them missing to authorities at the park, and be prepared to give an accurate and detailed description of your children. You should carry a current photograph and be able to accurately describe the clothing your children are wearing that day. All public places have planned out a strategy for these situations that are proven to be of the best help, but they can't do anything for you if they don't know and these strategies may not work as well if they aren't informed as soon as you know what's happened.

Some ways to prevent losing sight of the kids or even to help them be returned to you as quickly as possible should they lose sight of you are easier than you may think.

• Dress them in matching shirts and hats in an unusual color or distinctive design.

• It's also a good idea to attach a covered luggage tag to your child's clothing or place it in a pocket. (The cover prevents a stranger from seeing your child's name.) Include your name as well as your child's and the name and number of your hotel. Some parks issue special tags for young children; ask about this when you enter the park.

• Accompany young children on rides in the park. Older children should stay in groups and take a friend with them wherever they go in the park. If you decide to let young children go on rides without you, wait with them in line, watch them enter the ride, and immediately meet them when they exit the ride.

• Always accompany younger children to restrooms in the park. Older children should not go to the restroom alone.

• Immediately report any suspicious or inappropriate behavior to authorities.

Most parents already know that kids are prone to scraping knees and taking a few spills. Be prepared to keep them comfortable and your nerves somewhat at ease.

• Carry a few first-aid supplies with you, such as adhesive bandages and antibiotic cream to treat minor cuts and scrapes. Also, if it's summer, use plenty of sunscreen, take breaks, and make sure your kids get enough liquids so they won't be overcome with the heat.

• Whenever possible, keep children toward the middle of ride vehicles, if anything should go wrong this is the safest place to be. And this way you can make sure they aren't going to flail any arms or legs out of the vehicle.

In the near future I will post another article of safety products that my cutomers and family have recommened.

What are some of the ways you keep you children safe when you take them out to crowded places?