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Personal Injury Lawyer
Summer is here, and that means fun in the sun, splashing around at the water park! But while the water park can be a great place to spend time with the family, it’s important to make sure everyone stays safe. Enjoy some tips from a personal injury lawyer who works with our friends at Therman Law Offices, LTD on how to keep your family safe while having a great time at the water park this summer.
Check the Water Park’s Safety Record
Research online reviews and ratings from past visitors and find out what kind of safety precautions the park has taken. Have there been any past accidents or injuries reported? Are lifeguards present and trained in CPR and first aid? Are the rides and slides properly maintained? Ask questions and make sure the water park is a safe place for your family before visiting. Additionally, be sure to check the park’s hours of operation as well as any age restrictions that may apply.
Review the Safety Rules with Your Children
Taking the time to review the safety rules with your children is a must before visiting a water park. Make sure they understand that running and pushing are prohibited, as well as what areas are off limits. Additionally, talk to them about the importance of listening to lifeguards and staying within designated swimming areas. If there are height requirements for slides or other attractions, review them carefully with your children to ensure their safety. Finally, go over basic water safety with your children, including never swimming alone and what to do in an emergency.
Teach Your Children How to Swim
This might sound obvious, but sometimes it gets overlooked in the excitement to go to the park! If you have children who are not proficient swimmers, make sure to look for water parks that offer swim lessons. Even if your child already knows how to swim, consider taking a refresher class or two before heading out for a day of fun. Additionally, teach your children about swimming safety so they know how to act around deep water. Remind them to always stay within arm’s reach of an adult and never swim alone.
Wear Life Jackets
It’s important to ensure that everyone in your family wears life jackets at the water park. Even if your children are strong swimmers, life jackets provide an extra layer of protection. Make sure that the life jacket is approved by the US Coast Guard. Additionally, make sure the life jacket fits properly; it should not be too big or too small. If a life jacket is too large, it will not provide enough buoyancy to keep your child afloat in the water. It’s also important to make sure that straps are properly secured so the life jacket stays in place.
Use the Buddy System
Having a designated buddy ensures that children can remain in sight of each other and that no one gets lost or left behind. Encourage your children to stick together while they are at the water park and always know where their buddy is. Also, if any of your children are not strong swimmers, make sure their buddy is a strong swimmer who can help them if needed. Set ground rules for the buddy system such as not going off on their own and being sure to let you or another adult know if something happens.
These tips will help to keep your family safe, but if the waterpark is negligent and you or a loved one is injured, contact a lawyer near you for help.