Tips to Stay Safe at Edwardsville’s New Splash Park

Recently, Edwardsville added a new attraction, the Leon Corlew Park. Edwardsville’s newest park is located near the intersection of Schwarz Street and South Main Street. Several citizens came out for the grand opening of the three-acre park, which features a dry playground, butterfly garden, fitness track and splash pad. According to The Edwardsville Intelligencer, one of the most popular features of Leon Corlew Park’s splash pad is the dump bucket.

A Parks and Recreation Program official told The Intelligencer that unlike most other dump bucket water features, the one at Leon Corlew Park does not just dump water straight down in a single spot. Instead, Leon Corlew Park’s dump bucket includes a sloped design and a platform, which sprays water all over the splash pad when the bucket is dumped. Hopefully, the community can look forward to years of fun at Leon Corlew Park. Still, before venturing out to enjoy it, people should be aware of how to be safe while enjoying its features, particularly the splash pad. The last thing you want is for a day of fun to end with you or your child getting hurt at a water park or on a splash pad.

Safety Tips to Avoid Getting Hurt at a Water Park or on a Splash Pad

Water parks and splash pads can be a lot of fun. However, these attractions can be dangerous as well. Here are a few tips to help you keep your family safe at a water or splash park:

• Drink Lots of Water – You will be in the sun and heat much of the day and tiring yourself out playing in the water. It can be easy to become dehydrated in this situation if you are not careful. You should drink more water than you normally drink and avoid beverages that contain caffeine, alcohol or artificial sweeteners. Those type of beverages can lead to you becoming more dehydrated.
• Make Sure to Wear the Right Clothes – Obviously, you’ll be wearing a bathing suit. However, to avoid sunburn and heat stroke, wear loose fitting clothing, such as a t-shirt, a hat and sunglasses when you need a break from the water. In addition, small children should wear life jackets at all times. Just wearing water wings or using a water noodle is not enough.
• Use Sunscreen – Use waterproof sunscreen that is SPF 15 or higher. Put on sunscreen around half an hour before you get to the water park and then reapply the sunscreen every 75 to 80 minutes throughout the day.
• Know Where Your Children Are at All Times – There may be a large crowd at the water park or splash pad. Be careful not to lose sight of your children. In addition, keep an eye on how they are looking and acting. If something seems abnormal, ask them about it. They may be sick, dehydrated or have suffered an injury. Also, do not allow small children to be exposed to the sun for too long.
• Learn the Park’s Rules and Follow Them – While there are general water safety rules at every water park, swimming pool, and splash pad, there are usually additional rules that apply to that specific park. Find out what these rules are and make sure you and your family follow them while you are there.
• Be Cautious Near the Water – Be careful not to run around pools and splash pads. The surfaces are slick and can lead to slip and fall accidents if you are not careful. In addition, try to avoid roughhousing or other reckless behavior.
• Know the Swimming Basics – You and everyone with you should know how to swim or at least tread water before you ever set foot in a water park or on a splash pad. It is the best way to stay safe in or around the water.

The information provided by Walton Telken, LLC in this Blog is not intended to be legal advice, but merely provides general information related to common legal issues. This Blog, and the information contained within it, is Attorney Advertisement. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Past results afford no guarantee of future results. Every case is different and must be judged on its own merits.