Summer wouldn't be the same without at least one visit to an amusement park or local attraction. While these are the adventures that make for a memorable summer vacation, there are some situations and circumstances that could compromise the joy and experience of your day away. Take precautions and use common-sense strategies to ensure your day is fun, but also safe.
Six tips to keep kids safe away from home are:
- Take time to make a solid plan. A fun day of adventure starts with a well-laid plan. Hold a family meeting the night before to make sure each member has their essentials packed and a solid understanding of the day ahead. Discuss which areas of the park you will be hitting first; ask each member which attraction is most important to them, and prioritize your day. This way, no one will leave the park disappointed should weather or circumstances cause you to cut your visit short.
- Embrace the buddy-system. Stay together, and assign each child a partner for the buddy system when going on rides or visiting attractions in the park. This should extend to the restroom; never send children in to any bathroom facility without attendance of a buddy or parent. Reiterate warnings regarding stranger-danger, even in a kid-friendly park.
- Buckle-up for safety. It is always recommended that parents double check latches, seat-belts, and restraints for safety on rides or attractions. Also, make sure that you always secure belts for kids riding in trams, shuttles, or other transportation services just in case an accident should occur.
- Designate a common meeting place. Plan ahead a common meeting place near a notable landmark just in case a member becomes separated from the group. Make time to scout-out the park security office so you will save time in the event you need their assistance for any reason.
- Give them your contact info. Older children will likely have cell-phones on them with your number, but smaller children may not. Write your cell phone number on the child's arm and cover with liquid-bandage to keep it intact all day. This will help park personnel track you down if your child becomes lost.
- Develop an exit strategy. Take a good look around and study maps of the park, which are often found online on the attraction's website. Develop an exit strategy and emergency plan in the event of a crisis or evacuation of the property. Know where to enter and exit the park, and jot down where your vehicle is parked to ensure you are able to swiftly exit the area in the event of an emergency.
Enjoy peace of mind when visiting local attractions, parks, and amusements this summer. Use these tips to plan, prepare, and prevent situations that could arise during your day. For more information, contact a business such as The Baker House 1650.
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