Water Park Safety: Everything Parents Should Know

Water Park Safety pools Water Park Florencia Segura M.D. Leslie Paul Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC

By Camille Hutchison , Parent Herald Nov 19, 07:36 am

Wave pools, slides, lazy rivers, and water are all perfect ways to cool down and have fun as a family. Thus, Florencia Segura, M.D., a pediatrician at Einstein Pediatrics in Virginia, suggests parents and carers always look after their child, especially when at a water park or pool and always consider water safety measures.

Expect that there will be lots of people in the pool, so it is vital to have the plan to keep your children safe while enjoying the attractions. Accidents may happen unexpectedly and may happen anytime. Chaos ensues when you turn your back on your little ones for just a moment. Thus, Dr Segura suggests assigning a "water watcher." When swimming, not all family members must swim, as one of the members must constantly be within arm's reach of the child regardless of the shallowness of the water.

Keep in mind that young ones can instantly drown in as little as 1 inch of water. Thus, supervision is the most crucial safety measure. Parents might think their child is already safe as the child is a strong swimmer or has floaty on, but that's not always the case. Therefore, you need to give enough attention to your kids to prevent any possible accidents as they are in a water-based area.

Making kids safe at all times

Leslie Paul, swim instructor and founder of the Really Awesome People Swimming programs or Raps in Hampton Roads, Virginia, told the outlet that parents should look after their children as specific water play structures can block parents' sight of their kids.

Parents must also teach their kids to know and remember their limitations, including restricted areas unsuitable for them due to the water level of a specific pool.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC, roughly 8,000 nonfatal drownings happen in the United States annually, while 4,000 unintentional drowning each year are severe.

Dr Segura suggests remembering extra precautions in wave pools, considering that such pools pose the highest drowning risk because the currents entailing various people floating make it even more hard spotting a child in danger.

Thus, if your child is below 48 inches tall, unable to swim, weak swimmer, then they should wear a coast guard-approved life vest. Very Well Family suggests bringing your own vest or checking ahead with the water park to see if they offer them.

Following the water park rules

Dr Segura reminds parents always to pay attention to the weight and height restrictions. For instance, a tiny child can be easily thrown off the ride. Likewise, if a specific individual exceeds the weight limit of a particular water park, they may get stuck in clear slides or ride too fast.

Paul added that parents should keep the lifeguards from looking after their children and let them go into an appropriate area for their size.

Before entering a pool or waterpark, always read the rules. Obey them, as those were established for a reason. Parents should also thoroughly explain the importance of regulations as following such would surely keep your children safe. Moreover, water slides are the biggest culprits, especially in injuries such as cuts and falls.