Sun, Slides, and Safety: How to Enjoy Water Parks Responsibly

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Water parks are a fantastic way to beat the heat and have fun with family and friends during the hot summer months. They’re family-friendly, allow you to enjoy the weather, and spend some quality time outside. However, there’s a lot of risks involved: being outside in the heat for extended periods of time, going down water slides from tall heights at fast speeds, and navigating the busyness of the park with many other people in a small space. That being said, there’s a number of precautions you’ll want to take to enjoy the experience while staying safe. The next time you look for water parks near me, you’ll be well prepared to conquer the tallest of the slides. Let’s dive right into it.

Stay Hydrated

Being surrounded by pools and water slides can lead to an ironic twist- you may actually forget to drink water yourself! But staying hydrated in the hot sun (especially while walking on blacktop pavement throughout the park) is absolutely essential. Dehydration can happen quickly when the sun is beaming down and you are doing lots of physical activity in the park. Aim to drink at least eight standard cups of water throughout the day, but this number might vary based on how thirsty you are. Make use of the water fountains and vendors selling bottled water that are located throughout the water park. Additionally, avoid alcohol and sugar-filled beverages such as soda, which can lead to increased dehydration.

Use Sunscreen

Without the right skin protection, spending hours in the sun can cause excruciating sunburns and long-term skin damage or skin diseases. Before you arrive at the water park, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, reapplying it every two hours or after swimming. Remember to cover hard-to-reach areas like the back of the neck, the tips of the feet, and the ears. Additional defense from the sun’s damaging rays can be obtained by using a rash guard, sunglasses, and a hat.

Follow Park Rules and Guidelines

Each water park has its own policies and procedures aimed at ensuring visitors’ safety. Read and abide by any posted signage, and pay attention to staff and lifeguard directions. Ride height and weight restrictions should be observed by all individuals; their goal is to protect you and keep you safe. Follow any instructions or warnings that may be present on a ride to prevent the risk of mishaps or injury.

Keep an Eye on Your Group

Establish a meeting place if you’re going to the water park with a group, especially if there are kids. A good policy is to do a check-back every few hours to ensure everyone is on the same schedule. You can enhance this check-back rule by implementing a buddy system where each person in your group must be with another group member at all times. Young children in your group should especially be closely watched because they can easily get distracted by the excitement of the park.

Know Your Limits

It’s vital to understand your boundaries, even if it can be tempting to experience every ride and attraction within the park. If you’re not a confident swimmer, stay in places that are within your capabilities and don’t put you in harm’s way. Similarly, avoid exerting yourself on rides that appear excessively strenuous or beyond your physical capacity. Enjoying the attractions you feel at ease with is preferable to giving yourself anxiety, and thus not enjoy the rides or simply not feeling safe during what should be a fun day. Ultimately, people of all ages can have a wonderful time at a waterpark, but it’s crucial to put yourself (and your group members’ safety) first over the idea of just having fun. Yes, the goal is to have fun the entire day, but safety should be everyone’s first priority.

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