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by Charmette Kendrick
As the temperature passed 80 degrees last month, two sounds could be heard across the Southeast: the creak of amusement park gates opening for another season, and the collective sigh of relief of parents who once again have outlets for their kids to blow off steam.
Amusement parks, however, aren’t playgrounds or daycare centers, and shepherding a group of kids through a big, crowded park requires an extra level of vigilance on the part of parents. Particularly on peak weekends during the summer, this can be nerve-wracking — but as long as parents and kids keep to a fairly simple set of guidelines, it doesn’t have to be, says Micha Hogan, public relations coordinator for Wild Adventures Water & Theme Park in Valdosta. “Taking steps to keep your family safe before and during your visit will ensure a thrilling theme park adventure for all,” she said.
Memorize outfits. The clothes don’t make the man, but they can help identify kids—and parents—should family members become separated. “Families sometimes wear the same color shirts when visiting a theme park, to make it easier to keep everyone together,” Hogan added. But parents and children shouldn’t just take a mental picture of what the people in their group are wearing: “Point out the park’s security team to the children and point out their uniform, so that family members may easily find help,” Hogan advised. “Wild Adventures security team members wear bright colors so they are easy to spot in the park.”
Pick a meeting spot. Decide on a specific spot where everyone can meet up if a member of the group gets separated — and make sure it’s inside the park so that young children won’t have to venture outside the gates.
Stick together. Stressed-out parents may be tempted to get some lemonade, sit down in a shady spot, and let their kids go off on their own, but that isn’t a good idea. “Wild Adventures encourages families to stay together as much as possible during their visit and for parents to have a constant view of their children,” Hogan said. Rules vary among parks, but Wild Adventures requires children 12 and under to be accompanied by an adult at all times. If the child boards a ride or water attraction alone, Hogan advises parents to see their children off personally at the entrance and wait for them at the exit.
Know the rules at the water park. Water adds an extra element of fun to a theme park, but it can also add complications. Water rides will almost always have extra rules and regulations, so be aware of them: If it’s a rule at your local pool, for example, it’s probably a rule at a water park. And two of the biggest, Hogan says, are “obey the lifeguards” and “no running.” “The most common injury at Splash Island Water Park is a stubbed toe,” she said. “The best way to protect your children from a stubbed toe is to walk slowly while going from one water attraction to the next. Another option to protect your feet while in the water park is to wear water shoes.”
Don’t panic, find a security guard. If a child (or adult) gets separated from the group, the very first thing they should do, Hogan says, is to find a security guard they can ask for help. “Stay calm and remember details—when and where you last saw the person, what they were wearing, et cetera,” Hogan said. The guard can then have an announcement made on the park’s public-address system and accompany family members to the designated meet-up spot.
Remember that health is a part of safety. Dehydration and sunburn are two of the biggest risks at amusement parks during the summertime, so bring enough sunscreen and bottled water for everyone. And don’t leave it in your car, either: As much as you might dread lugging a backpack around a theme park for an afternoon, a 30-minute walk to the parking lot to retrieve a tube of sunblock isn’t any better. As illnesses such as swine flu have lingered in the headlines, many parks have stepped up their defenses against germs by setting up hand-sanitizer stations; make sure your kids avail themselves of these before they eat or drink and after they use the restroom.
Finally, as excited as your kids might be about the prospect of an amusement-park visit, remember to pace yourselves once the mercury starts rising. “Take time during the day to slow down and recharge,” Hogan suggested. “Find a shady area to rest or enjoy a park show.” Bigger theme parks such as Wild Adventures and Six Flags offer musical performances and large eating areas for families to sit back and relax while they prepare for the next round of roller coasters and waterslides. For the kids, this will lessen the risk of exhaustion or sunstroke. For the parents, meanwhile, a little relaxation time might be the best amusement of all.
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