Safety & Prevention

Water Park Safety for Families: 5 Things to Know Before You Go

From towering water slides and wave pools to lazy rivers and splash pads, water parks offer families plenty of ways to beat the heat, stay active and enjoy time together. More than 85 million people visit water parks in the United States each year.

A few simple precautions can help your family avoid some of the most common water park injuries and health risks. Review these safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics before your next visit to keep the fun flowing.

1. Know the rules before you ride.

With their steep drops, twisty turns, dark tunnels and splasy landings, water slides are a favorite water park attraction for many families. But water slides are also involved in many water park injuries. These can range from scrapes and cuts to broken bones and concussions and, less commonly, serious neck or spinal injuries.

Teach kids to take ride restrictions seriously

Make sure your children understand it's important to follow ride directions. Rules like "feet first" on water slides are there for a reason―to keep riders safe. Some other water park ride safety guidelines to note:

Always pay attention to the size and weight restrictions on water park rides. Riders who are too small can be thrown from the ride. Riders that exceed the maximums can get stuck in chutes or build up excessive speed and exit the ride too fast.
Watch for the maximum number of riders allowed. If signs say limited to two riders per ride, don't pile four on trying to break a record. Make sure your children understand that safety rules aren't optional.

2. Know your child's swimming ability.

National data shows fatal and nonfatal drownings have occurred at U.S. water parks. Even strong swimmers who have taken lessons can get into trouble, especially in crowded attractions. Know the risks and how to prevent a drowning tragedy.

Consider life jackets

In addition, children and others who lack strong swim skills should also wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets when at a pool or water park. Some parks require swimmers to wear these, and staff can help you ensure the device is the right size and fitted correctly for your child. Just keep in mind: even when they wear life jackets, young children and those who cannot swim well need an adult who can swim within arm's reach providing touch supervision.

Which water park attraction poses the highest drowning risk?

Answer: wave pools. Wave pools can be dangerous for smaller children or weak swimmer. And the large numbers of people bobbing in the water can make it very difficult to spot a swimmer in trouble, who could look like just another swimmer enjoying the waves. Close parental supervision is all the more important. Stay within arm's reach of young or weak swimmers, and keep your eyes on your children at all times.

3. Know what's in the water.

With all the patrons attending water parks each year, it’s important to know what can be in the water besides other swimmers and chlorine. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, most people have about 0.14 grams of feces (poop) on their bottoms that can rinse off and contaminate the water, especially if swimmers don't shower beforehand.

In one year, more than half of public pools tested positive for E. coli―a marker of fecal contamination. Crypto (short for Cryptosporidium) has a high tolerance to chlorine that enables this parasite to survive for long periods in chlorinated pool water. Both E. coli and Crypto can make swimmers very ill, sometimes leading to hospitalization.

What parents can do to prevent waterborne illnesses:

Teach your child never to drink pool water. Provide clean drinking water if children are thirsty.

Encourage frequent bathroom breaks. Take younger children your child to the bathroom about once an hour.

Check swim diapers frequently, such as every 30-60 minutes.

Avoid sitting or standing directly over water jets at splash pads and other water attractions.

If your child is ill―especially with diarrhea―do not visit the water park.

Shower before entering the water, particularly if your child has been playing in other areas of the water park such as sandboxes, can help rinse bacteria from the skin and reduce contamination. Shower again before heading home to remove any lingering bacteria and chlorine from the skin.

4. Know who oversees water park safety.
Did you know that the federal government does not monitor or regulate fixed-site amusement parks―many of which contain water parks? In 1981, Congress handed over control of these parks to state and local governments. So, a patchwork of local and state authorities bear the responsibility of safety oversight for amusement park rides.

There is no consistent standard of regulation.

Each state decides what level of regulation and monitoring they want to assume. Some states are strict, but other states elect for minimum involvement, making some parks self-regulated. In fact, pop-up carnivals have more government regulation than fixed-site amusement parks!

It's a good idea to look into how the water park you're going to is monitored and regulated. SaferParks.org provides information about state oversight programs, injury reporting requirements and public access to safety records.

5. Know how to keep kids safe both in and out of the water.

Following ride rules and practicing water safety are essential. But a day at the water park comes with other risks to be aware of, too. Sunburns, dehydration, slips and falls and getting separated in crowded areas can all put a damper on the fun.

Here are more water park safety tips to keep in mind:

Protect against sunburn. If you'll be spending time outdoors, apply sunscreen before arriving and reapply it as directed throughout the day. Seek shade during breaks whenever possible.

Walk, don't run. Pool decks and walkways can be slippery from a mix of water and sunscreen, especially when they're crowded.

Consider water shoes. Water shoes can help children keep their footing on wet, slippery surfaces, reducing the risk of slips and falls. They can also protect little feet from rough pool bottoms and other surfaces that can cause scrapes.

Stay hydrated. Swimming, climbing stairs and walking around the park can be surprisingly strenuous. Encourage everyone to drink water regularly, even if they don't feel thirsty.

Schedule in activity breaks throughout the day. Kids burn about 288 calories an hour playing in the pool. That kind of activity level can tire young swimmers, so it's important to exit the water periodically and rest. This is a good time to recharge in the shade with to rehydrate, eat a snack and take a bathroom break.

Choose a family meeting spot. When you arrive, identify a location where everyone can gather if someone gets separated from the group.

Remember that lifeguards are just one layer of prevention against drowning. Close, attentive, capable supervision when your child is in or around water is essential.

Remember

A great day at the water park should end with tired kids, big smiles and plenty of happy memories. Making sure to follow waterpark rules, supervise children closely and take steps to prevent waterborne illness can help your family soak up all the fun the water park has to offer.

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Last Updated: 7/2/2026

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.