Tips for Staying Safe at Amusement Parks

There’s no better way to spend a sunny day than to explore an amusement park. A visit to an amusement park is a fun time for the entire family. Kids and adults alike love the rides, attractions and delicious, traditional theme park food like ice cream and candy apples.

However, while owners and staff of amusement parks work hard to ensure the safety of all guests, accidents, from minor scrapes to heatstroke, can still happen. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do yourself to help ensure an accident-free and pleasant experience during your visit to an amusement park. Read on for some helpful guidance.

General Amusement Park Safety Tips

Dress for the Day

To avoid getting sunburned, dress appropriately in comfortable, light clothing and wear sunscreen on all exposed areas of skin. Avoid wearing clothes with tassels or ribbons that can get caught in ride machinery.

You’d be on your feet for most of the day, so wear comfortable shoes. Avoid wearing flip-flops or sandals, as these could come off during a ride.

Stay Hydrated and Cool

If you can, bring a small handheld fan to help keep you cool as you explore the park. You should also take your own water bottle with you, if park rules allow, so you can more easily stay hydrated.

Take Breaks

You might not realize it, but thrill rides like rollercoasters are tiring and cause temporary stress to the body. Instead of hopping from one ride to another, pace yourself and take short breaks in between. You can use this time to go to the bathroom, have a small snack or drink some water.

Have a Plan In Case You Get Separated

If you’re traveling with small children, be sure they have your home address and phone number memorized. However, if they’re too young to do that, you can write the details down on small pieces of paper and tuck those into their pockets right before you leave.

Remind your little ones that if they get lost or somehow separated from you, they should stay where they are instead of running around to look for you.

If you have older kids visiting the amusement park with you, be sure to have regular check-ins via mobile phone. However, phone batteries don’t stay charged forever, so it’s also best to decide on a physical location to meet up in case of separation. Ensure that your group’s older kids and adults know where to go.

Amusement Park Safety Tips for When You’re on a Ride

Follow Ride Rules

Amusement park ride rules are there for a reason, so be sure to follow them. If you have children with you, take time to go over the rules with them to prevent injuries and accidents.

Common rules listed on ride signs at amusement parks include:

• Obeying the restrictions on age, height, weight and health.
• Keeping legs, feet, arms and hands inside the ride at all times.
• Using the restraints or other types of safety equipment provided for the ride.

Don’t Get On or Off a Ride Until the Attendant Says It’s Okay

Of course, everyone gets excited when it’s their turn on a ride. However, it’s important to follow the ride attendant’s guidance on when it’s safe to get on. Wait until the current passengers have exited and the attendant tells you to enter.

Some people also get a little impatient to get off a ride once it’s done. However, before you do, make sure the ride has come to a complete stop in front of the unloading platform. Take your time to the exit to avoid being caught in the crowd of people hurrying to leave and potentially being pushed or shoved.

Keep Loose Articles Secured

This tip applies to all rides at amusement parks, but especially rollercoasters and other rides that go upside down. Things you usually keep in your pockets, like loose change and wallets, may fall out and hit yourself or other passengers during a ride. For this reason, it’s essential to keep them secure.

Most amusement parks have storage bins or lockers you can use to keep loose articles like cellphones, sunglasses and hats temporarily. You may also keep them inside a fanny pack or in pockets with zippers or buttons.

Have a Rip-Roaring Good Time at Western Playland

Thrilling rides and fun attractions await at Western Playland, an exciting amusement park in Sunland Park, New Mexico. We have classic, well-loved rides like the Pharaoh’s Fury and the Tilt-a-Whirl, as well as brand-new, thrilling rides like the Fireball and El Loco for those who want to test their courage.

Learn more about Western Playland by visiting our FAQs page, or send us your questions via our online form.