http://www.atlanticstarsafety.com/outdoors/parks/water-parks/ Water parks can provide hours of fun in the sun! Here are some safety tips for water parks. en-us Mon, 23 Jan 2006 13:35:17 EST Mon, 23 Jan 2006 13:35:17 EST Weblog Editor 2.0 Can't make it to the beach this summer? You can get a great start on that tan you want so much by going to one of our nation's many water parks. Safety in Numbers? Most water parks are huge, and the idea of letting your kids go do whatever they want and trying to keep an eye on them in the process can be daunting. It's easier when they are little, but when they are pre-teens, they are beginning to exert their independence. In today's world, it's hard to give it to them. There are a lot of crazy people out there. That point aside, when you let your kids go on different "rides" at water parks, stand in line with them. (This doesn't mean you have to go on the ride. There's usually a "chicken" exit.) To ensure safety at water parks, first make sure you and your kids can swim. Then be sure to follow park's rules. The rules aren't in place to spoil anyone's fun--they're to ensure everyone has fun safely. Admittedly, that's a concept kids have a hard time grasping, but they're the rules, nonetheless. You should also be sure that any attraction is well-supervised by lifeguards. Most of the time, lifeguards are watching everyone and looking for people who are struggling in the water. These people may be too embarrassed to yell for help, or they may think that they will be able to get out of it themselves. That's why lifeguards look for that kind of thing. They will help whether it's needed or not. Why? Because it's better to be safe than sorry! When going down a water slide, make sure you and your kids go feet first and face up. Chances are that if you want to go in any other position, the lifeguard won't let you anyway. Why? It's not safe! And those water slides at water parks can be scary! You often feel like you're going to go flying right over the edge! Imagine if that was face first! Besides, when you get to the end of the water slide, it's not pleasant to go in face first. Where's the fun in that?! Our final tip on water park safety is universal for most outdoor activities in the sun--wear sunscreen! A bad sunburn now (particularly on a child) can lead to skin cancer later in life. Mon, 23 Jan 2006 13:35:17 EST