Amusement Park Safety!

Everyone knows that kids love amusement parks. While it might seem like an adventure for children, it can be a safety nightmare for parents.

Know the Rules...For Child Safety in Amusement or Theme Parks As a parent or guardian you know such outings may also be sources of stress and concern for family members visiting an area with so many new sights and sounds. It’s easy for both adults and children to become distracted by all the excitement and attractions. Taking the time to plan your trip and including your children in that process will help make your outing in the park a more enjoyable one from start to finish. Here are a few steps your family may take to help ensure happy memories.

Before going to the park, tell your children . . .

• To enjoy their outing while paying careful attention to where they are and who they are with at all times.


• 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.

• To tell you if anyone approaches them or makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. 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!”

• If they become separated while in the park to go to the closest “Help/Information Center” to ask the people there to “find my parents/guardians and bring them to me here at this Center” or, in the case of older children, make the “Help/Information Center” the spot where you are able to “meet up.” Make sure your children understand they should never search for you on their own or look for you outside the park, especially in the parking lot.

• These rules also apply when they are taking part in a field trip through their school or youth group. And if you are not joining them for that trip, they need to check first with and tell the responsible adult in charge or a designated chaperone if anything makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.

As a parent or guardian you should . . .

• Get information about the park prior to your trip, and review the park guidelines, particularly those regarding lost children. Discuss the information as a family, including what to do if lost or separated. Ask your children what they would do in certain situations, and practice appropriate actions and responses with your children.


• Get a map of the park prior to the visit or immediately upon arriving, identify the “Help/Information Centers” throughout, and reinforce the idea that these are the places for children to go when lost or separated in the park. Making a plan beforehand, of what to do in case of separation, should greatly speed a reunion.

• 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. Children should never go off alone with anyone.

• Not allow your children to wear clothing or carry items on which their names are displayed.

• Make sure you and your children carry your child’s Ident-A-Kid card in case they become lost, become separated or need assistance. • Consider dressing your children in or asking them to wear brightly colored clothes so they may be more easily spotted in the park.

• Consider dressing your children in or asking them to wear brightly colored clothes so they may be easier to spot in 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.

• If you have a cellular telephone or wireless device, make certain your children know those numbers and these devices are activated so your children may contact you if they become lost. Based on your children’s ages and maturity levels, make certain they also know how to reach you if separated by asking adults you have identified to assist them with contacting you. Parents and guardians may wish to use two-way radios while in the park, so family members are able to stay in touch with each other.

• Immediately report your children missing when lost or separated in 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.

• Make certain there will be be qualified supervision of your children by responsible adults if you are considering granting permission for them to take part in a field trip to an amusement or theme park.