KNOW THE RULES
For child safety in amusement or theme parks

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

That 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 uncomfortable. Tell your children that if they are approached by anyone who tries to take them away to yell, "This person is not my father (mother)!"

That if you become separated while in the park to go to the closest "Help/Information Center" to ask the people there to "find my parents 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 can "meet up." Make sure your children understand that they should never search for you outside the park, especially in the parking lot.

That 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 is wrong.

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 you become 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 immediately upon arriving, identify the "help/Information Centers" throughout, and reinforce the idea that these are the places for children to go to in case you become separated in the park. Making a plan beforehand of what to do in case you are separated should greatly speed a reunion.

Talk to your children about who can 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 that your children carry some form of identification and family/emergency contact information with them in case they become separated from you or need assistance.

Consider dressing your children in or asking them to wear brightly colored clothes so that they may be more easily spotted 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 in the restroom alone.

Immediately report any suspicious or inappropriate behavior to authorities.

Make certain that your children have change to use the telephone. If you have a cellular telephone or pager, make certain your children know those numbers and that these devices are activated so your children may call you if they become lost. Parents may wish to use two-way radios while in the park, so that family members can stay in touch with each other.

Immediately report your children as being missing if you become 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 that the children are wearing.

Make certain that there is going to be qualified supervision of the children by responsible adults, if you are considering granting permission for your child to take part in a field trip to an amusement or theme park.