Safety Information

Whether it is beautiful sandhill cranes or the elusive Florida panther, Central Florida’s animal population is diverse and plentiful. However, visitors are advised to take safety precautions while in any outdoor setting. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission offers several tips.

• Please avoid feeding or harassing wildlife of any kind, especially bears and alligators.
• Florida state law prohibits the killing, possession or harassment of alligators.
• Alligators and snakes can be found not just in the wild, including lakes, rivers and marshes, but also in residential neighborhoods and golf courses.
• When near any fresh or brackish water, be aware of the possibility of reptilian wildlife.
• Never leave children or pets unsupervised near water.
• Do not swim at night or in areas not designated for swimming.
• Adhere to all signage indicating that water access, including swimming and wading, is not permitted.

If you plan on operating a motor vehicle while visiting Orlando, please be aware that Florida state law requires the use of safety belts by all front seat passengers.

• All passengers under the age of 18 must be belted in either the front or back seat of the vehicle.
• Passengers ages 4 through 5 must be secured in either a federally approved child-restraint seat or a safety belt.
• Passengers ages 3 and under must be secured in a federally approved child-restraint seat.
• Passengers 18 years of age or older can be individually fined if they are not buckled up.

Florida’s Move Over law requires drivers to move over one lane for stopped law enforcement, emergency, sanitation and utility-service vehicles, as well as tow trucks and wreckers. In 2024, the law expanded to include occupied private vehicles, as well as unoccupied vehicles with hazard lights on.

• If safety considerations preclude you from moving over one lane, or if you are on a two-lane road, you are required to slow to a speed that is 20 mph or less under the posted speed limit.
• If the posted speed limit is 20 mph or less, slow to 5 mph.

It is vital to remember that pets are highly susceptible to heat, especially visitors who might be unfamiliar with the weather. Leaving pets in parked cars, even for a few minutes, can result in dangerous, even fatal, conditions. The temperature inside a car can rise rapidly, reaching life-threatening levels in minutes, so be sure to bring your pets with you every time you leave your vehicle. Let us work together to ensure the safety and well-being of our furry friends.

It is always good common sense to keep the following safety tips in mind when traveling:

• Always lock the front and/or patio doors when inside a hotel room and before leaving. Use the safety chain/lock for security.
• Never open your hotel room door unless you know who is there. If you did not call for the service offered by the person at the door, call hotel security or the front desk to see if they have sent someone to your room.
• Place valuables in a safety deposit box in your room or inside the safe at your hotel office. Do not leave valuables in your car.
• When checking into a hotel, consult the floor plan map on the back of your room door to familiarize yourself with fire and emergency exits.
• When driving, keep all car doors locked.
• Give or pin your cellphone number to your children in case you are separated.
• For emergencies, dial 911.