Potentially Dangerous Water Park Areas

Certain areas of waterparks can be more dangerous for young children and adults who are playing at a waterpark. Areas that can pose more risk than others at waterparks are those that are wet, high up, or can injure someone if they fall. Here are some areas in an indoor or outdoor waterpark to be cautious of. 

Jumping and Diving Areas

Areas of a pool or attraction in a waterpark that have platforms for jumping or diving should be approached with caution. Young children who are jumping in the water may underestimate jumping away from the surface or ledge. A child may hit the side of the ledge or pool, may jump on top of someone, or may slip while jumping.

Before allowing your children to jump, especially off high surfaces, check to make sure that the ledge is non-slip, and that they are looking to make sure no one is near them when jumping. Teenagers often like to show off to their friends and take risks. If you have teenagers, make sure they know not to dive into shallow areas or to do flips off the edge of a pool.

Splash Pads

Splash pads are typically set up like a playground and have jungle gyms, shooting water, and small slides. The one major danger of splash pads is the slippery surfaces. When children are gripping and stepping on parts of the playground, it can be easy to lose traction or grip and fall. The other issue is that shooting water can spray into young children’s ears, eyes, and mouth. Because water parks’ water is filled with cleaning agents, chlorine, and germs, it can be harmful if swallowed. Advise children not to drink or swallow the water that shoots out of the ground or other toys on the splash pad. Shooting water can also lead to bacteria and infections spreading, as well as pose a threat of drowning from water inhalation.

Dumping Water Bucket

At many water parks, there is a giant water bucket that fills up with water and dumps all over the playground, sometimes every 10-30 minutes. Children playing love to run over and stand right under it as a countdown goes off and then as the water drenches them. A lot of people underestimate the force of this giant water bucket. These water buckets generally hold about 1,000 gallons of water and come crashing down directly overhead. Small children may not be able to handle the force of this falling water, when standing directly below it. The force can result in slipping and falling onto the platform or ground they are standing on, falling onto other people and knocking them over, or swallowing and inhaling water. Be cautious about small children standing right underneath or on top of a platform that they can fall off of when the water bucket dumps.

Taking Precautions

Jumping areas, diving boards, splash pads, and giant water buckets should be approached with some caution, especially with young children. Young kids may watch older children doing more advanced things at the water park and mimic their behavior without understanding how dangerous it is. Explain the rules of the water to your children before playing, and someone should always be with young children, especially on these types of activities at water parks.

Getting Help

If you or your child has been injured on a jumping platform, splash pad, or by a giant water bucket at the water park, contact us to speak with an attorney as soon as possible about your case and injuries.