Safety Signs and Sneaky Fixes for Your Visitor Attraction

January is quiet, damp, and full of potential. For many visitor attractions, it’s the perfect time to wander the site with fresh eyes and a notepad. With fewer visitors around, you can finally tackle the little jobs that make a big difference, starting with your safety signs.

This seasonal lull offers a rare chance to slow down and take stock. Whether you run a petting farm, a small zoo, a stately home or a public garden, the quieter weeks of winter are ideal for catching up on maintenance, refreshing your signage, and preparing for the busy months ahead. It’s not just about compliance, it’s about creating a safe, welcoming and well-organised experience for everyone who steps through your gates. From the car park to the cubicles, every sign tells a story about your site. Now’s the time to make sure it’s the right one.

Safety Signs First, Because Nobody Likes a Faded Warning

Safety signs are more than just tick-box compliance. They guide your visitors, protect your team and show that you care. Begin your audit by checking:

• Are hazard warnings still clear and legible?

• Are fire exits and first aid points properly marked?

• Are handwashing signs still stuck to the wall or quietly curling at the edges?

If a sign is cracked, sun-bleached, peeling or still showing your old logo, it’s time to replace it. Snap a photo, jot down the location and move on. You’ll thank yourself later when it’s time to reorder.

• Read more about when you know it’s time to replace your safety signs.

Walk the Walk from Car Park to Cubicle

To spot what needs fixing, follow the footsteps of your visitors, your staff and even your delivery drivers. Start at the entrance and work your way through:

• Car park signs: are they still pointing in the right direction?

• Welcome boards: do they match your current opening hours?

• Toilets: yes, every cubicle. You’d be surprised how many signs go missing (or turn up) in there. And check the backs of every door for any surprise additions! 

• Staff areas: don’t forget the back-of-house. Internal signs matter too.

Look high, low and behind doors. If something makes you think “we should sort that,” write it down. Better yet, take a photo and start building your own signs list.

Sector-Specific Spot Checks

Every attraction has its quirks. Here are a few extra things to look out for depending on your setup:

• Petting farms: Check animal contact signage, handwashing stations, and any rules around feeding or touching animals.

• Small zoos: Review enclosure signs, safety barriers, and emergency exit routes.

• Stately homes: Audit historic interpretation boards, restricted access signs, and any temporary signage used during events.

• Gardens: Look for faded information boards, directional signs for trails, and safety warnings near water features.

If you’ve added new areas or changed layouts recently, make sure your signage reflects that. A path that used to be one-way might now need a new directional sign or updated visitor guidance.

Create a Signs List You Can Use Again

As you audit, record every sign; what it says, where it lives and what condition it’s in. This list becomes your signage inventory, making future upgrades easier and helping you spot patterns. You can even colour-code your signage types: safety, directional, informational and promotional.

If you’re feeling extra organised, group safety signs by area or audience. Your future self will be very impressed.

• Read our handy guide to carrying out a safety sign audit.

Use the Downtime to Tidy Up

January is ideal for all those “we’ll get to it later” jobs. Replace the cracked acrylic. Update the opening times. Swap out the old branding. Re-stick the handwashing signs. Repaint the post that’s been nudged one too many times by the lawnmower.

It’s not glamorous, but it’s satisfying. And when spring rolls around, your site will be looking sharp, safe and ready to welcome the crowds.