Here in South Florida, we are experiencing a summer that is hot, hot, hot leaving everyone looking for ways to cool off. Water parks and 
splash pads are a popular way to enjoy endless refreshing entertainment for both kids and adults. With new attractions like the Tidal Cove water park in Aventura popping up, it’s a good time to review tips to stay safe at water parks this summer.
Stay safe at water parks this summer by following some of these reminders and safety tips.
Water Park Safety for the Kids
- When visiting a water park, it’s crucial to ensure that all the children in your group know how to swim or have the proper equipment to help them stay safe in all water environments. Even shallow water can be dangerous for a child who doesn’t know how to swim, so it’s important that you discuss this with the parents of any children you take with you.
- Never leave children alone, not even for a minute. The risks of playing in water parks are not just in the water, but surfaces can be slippery, and children can wander away without an adult knowing where they are. Therefore, make sure there is an adult in your group present with children wherever they are in the park.
- Use the buddy system for older children. Make sure that everyone has someone they are with at all times. If you have older children, make sure that they have a buddy with them who can alert adults or security if there is a safety concern.
- If you let your older children walk around the park with a buddy, set specific check-in times so that your children are coming back and checking in with you on a regular basis. Cell phones may be safely stored in bags and not accessible during your time at the park, so it’s important that you are checking in with your children regularly.
- Remind your children to always go feet first down water slides. Neck and back injuries can be serious, so it’s always safer to land in the water with your feet first.
Water Park Safety Reminders for the Whole Family
- This summer is hot! To avoid any heat-related illnesses, make sure you are staying hydrated, even when you are in and out of the water. Always have fresh water to drink on hand, and stay away from caffeine and alcohol and other dehydrating beverages.
- Keep your family covered up to avoid sunburn, but also make sure that the clothing is breathable and light to prevent heatstroke. If you are unable to wear light clothing in the sun, make sure that everyone is covered in sunscreen to prevent a severe burn.
- Pay attention to all the rules of the park. Remember that your kids are paying close attention to you, so if you break the rules, they may think it’s OK to do that as well. The regulations of water parks are there to prevent injury or death, so review them with your family before you let them enjoy the park.
- Wear water shoes at all times. Water shoes have rubber bottoms, which can help keep you safe from a slip-and-fall on slippery surfaces but can also keep your feet safe from a burn caused by a scorching surface.
- Pay attention to how you and your family feel at all times. Heatstroke can be subtle at first, so you want to make sure you are continually monitoring how the heat is affecting everyone. Similarly, chemicals such as chlorine can cause some health issues. Very rarely, the chlorine can form a gas cloud and cause breathing problems and irritation in the nose, throat, and eyes.
Water parks can be a lot of fun for families to enjoy together, but they can also be very dangerous. If you have been seriously injured at a water park or splash pad, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. Contact us at Panter, Panter, and Sampedro for a free consultation at (305) 662-6178
References:
10 Ways to Stay Safe at the Water Park. (2017, May 16). Retrieved from https://safewise.com/blog/10-ways-to-stay-safe-at-the-water-park/
Posted under Health Guides. Updated 29 April 2019. Related Content. (2019, April 29). Water Park Safety. Retrieved from https://youngwomenshealth.org/2013/02/12/water-park-safety/
D., M. (2014, July 12). More than two dozen hospitalized, released after chlorine gas exposure at Michigan’s Adventure amusement park. Retrieved from https://mlive.com/news/muskegon/2014/07/more_than_two_dozen_hospitaliz.html
