Just about everyone gets excited about going to the water park! You can experience the excitement of surfing in a wave pool, take a thrilling ride on a slide, or relax while floating down a lazy river.
When planning a trip to the water park, there are a few factors to consider for a fun and stress-free experience. Being prepared can make your day enjoyable and memorable. Here are 5 things you should know before going to the water park.
Always read and follow posted rules
Injuries commonly seen at water parks include cuts, lacerations, dislocated joints, and broken bones. Accidental drownings, although rare, are estimated to occur about ten times each year at U.S. water parks.
These injuries may result from factors such as mechanical failures and visitor negligence.
By adhering to all water park instructions and warnings, you can take control of your family’s safety and prevent many potential injuries.
Teach your child to respect and follow the rules
Tell your kids, no matter their age, that water park rules are there to keep them safe. Go over the rules whenever you see them posted.
Read ride restrictions
Know and adhere to height and weight restrictions for all rides and activities. If your child does not meet the requirements, do not attempt to persuade the lifeguard otherwise. These restrictions are in place for the safety of your child.
If your child is too short, underweight, or overweight for the ride, they must understand that the ride mechanics will not provide a safe experience.
Discuss your child’s limitations
To participate in certain rides, participants must be capable swimmers who can quickly exit the pool.
It’s essential for children to accurately assess their swimming abilities. Weak swimmers may face challenges from strong currents, impairing their ability to reach safety promptly. It’s important for them to act swiftly to avoid potential injury from other swimmers.
By having these conversations, you can ensure your child understands the importance of safety and is prepared for their water park experience.
Respect the role of lifeguards
Although water park lifeguards are trained to handle emergencies, it’s essential to understand that they may not be able to observe everything at all times. View the lifeguard as your child’s final layer of protection, with you as their primary guardian.
It is your responsibility to diligently follow all water park rules and actively supervise all the children in your care while at the park.
Encourage your children to follow any instructions given by the lifeguards and assure them that lifeguards are trustworthy individuals who can help if they get separated from you. Teach them how to identify lifeguards for assistance when needed.
Here’s more about water park safety for kids.
Stay within arm’s reach of young children
Keeping a close watch on children can be tiring, but accidents can occur in an instant. It’s essential to remain vigilant and never lose sight of your kids, even for a moment.
When a small child is near water, regardless of its depth, the supervising adult must ensure the child is always within arm’s reach.
It’s critical to be aware that young children can drown in as little as one inch of water.
Read more about water safety for toddlers.
Designate a Water Watcher
If you are going to the water park with other adults, it’s a good idea to designate a “water watcher.”
A water watcher agrees to monitor the kids for a specific amount of time. They take this responsibility seriously, and the other adults agree not to interrupt or distract the water watcher while on duty. Once their assigned time is up, another adult relieves the first watcher.
If there are several toddlers in your group, it’s best to have multiple adults monitoring the toddlers at the same time.
Supervise older children too
It’s important to continue monitoring older kids, even if they are strong swimmers. They should always swim with a buddy and remind each other to stay safe.
Please be aware of the following information: Wave pools can be dangerous for swimmers due to multiple currents and the large number of people in the water at the same time. Lifeguards may find it difficult to quickly notice if a child is in distress in a big crowd. Therefore, parents need to provide extra supervision.
If teenagers are planning to go to the wave pool, encourage them to bring a friend with the same swimming skill level. They should always stick together and set regular check-in times and a specific meeting place where they will report back to you.
Use a flotation device
Anyone under 48 inches tall, weak, or non-swimmer should wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vest at the water park. Most water parks provide them at no charge.
If you plan on getting a life vest from the water park, contact them in advance to ensure they can supply them. Otherwise, life vests can be purchased online or at a local sporting goods or retail store.
U.S. Coast Guard-approved vests have an approval number on a label inside the life jacket.
Wear brightly colored swimsuits
The attractions in water parks draw large crowds. Dress your child in a brightly colored swimsuit to maximize safety and visibility at crowded water parks.
Research has shown that colors such as neon orange, neon yellow, and neon green are the most visible swimsuit colors in pools.
Remember this safety recommendation when planning your next trip to the waterpark.
Find out more about how brightly colored swimsuits can save lives.
Learn to swim
Learning to swim is the most effective method for ensuring safety in and around water, whether it’s at a waterpark, a lake, or a family member’s or friend’s pool. Both adults and children should prioritize gaining this vital skill regardless of age.
Throughout our lives, we may find ourselves in various situations requiring the ability to swim. Whether it’s enjoying water activities, engaging in water sports, or facing unforeseen circumstances such as floods or emergencies, being proficient in swimming can be a life-saving asset.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children as young as one year old can benefit from swim lessons to improve their water safety.
Kids who have taken swim lessons have a more enjoyable time at water parks because they feel more confident in their swimming abilities and can safely enjoy more attractions.
Find out why swimming lessons can make vacations more fun.
At Njswim, we offer swim lessons at different skill levels for kids of all ages. Here’s information about our swim classes which are provided at six locations throughout New Jersey.
