When the weather warms up (unless you are fortunate to live in a warmer climate area), and you are looking for an adventure-packed family outing, an amusement park can be a great choice.
Having something for almost everyone in the family: good food, fun rides, and plenty of carnival games.
We still have to remember that amusement parks can be dangerous. In 2019 182 accidents were reported, from around the world, with 51 of the accidents resulting in fatalities, and 87 events involved roll coasters and mechanical equipment.
We will go over some amusement park safety tips that your family can follow to help stay safe. According to a personal injury attorney in Tampa, “the most common injuries we see are neck, back, and concussion injuries. Then it comes down to was this from negligence by park and staff or from the visitor”
1) Keep Your Kids Close
The number one way to stay safe is knowing where your kids are at all times. This can sometimes be a tough task, especially when you are buying food or tickets for the next ride, but making sure your kids don’t wander off into danger is a great way to prevent them from getting an injury.
2) Follow The Park Rules
There are usually a lot of people and we know there are a lot of moving pieces of equipment at the theme park, so following the rules and all posted signs is a must. Don’t try and sneak on to a ride if you have someone who isn’t tall enough to ride, there is a reason there is a height requirement.
When there are signs that say “STAY OUT” or “EMPLOYEES ONLY”, respect them and listen. Ending up in an area with a moving roller coaster or machines can be very risky and dangerous, not only to the person astray but to the passengers on a ride.
If you see someone not following the park rules, be sure to let a park employee know, you could be saving someone from getting hurt.
3) Stay Hydrated
If you are at the theme park in the summer months, odds are it is going to be hot. After a long day in the sun, it can be easy to start to get dehydrated, make sure to limit how much caffeine everyone is drinking, and drink plenty of water. Dehydration can sneak up on you and not only cause dizziness but could also cause other accidents as a byproduct.
4) Having A Predetermined Meeting Place
Hopefully, you won’t be separated from your party and kids, but if it does, be prepared. Before partaking in the fun for the day, pick one location (maybe by the entrance you came in) and make sure everyone knows if they are separated, this is where they come immediately. Then everyone waits here until everyone is back together.
5) Remember The Sun
When you spend the day outdoors hopping rides, remember to be prepared for the sun. Make sure you have some sunscreen to prevent getting burned. This isn’t something that will probably affect you the day of, but if you don’t stay ahead of it, the coming days can be terrible.
There you have it, 5 tips to help you stay safe out of the theme park. More than likely the kids are going to be wound up and ready to GO when they hit the park. Give them a good talk or reminder before getting there, to make sure they follow the rules and not put themselves in danger.
Parents, put the phone and enjoy the time out with the family and have some fun in the sun. Kids are going to grow up fast, so we don’t want to miss it and there will be a lot going on at the park too.
Have fun!