Beat the summer heat! Water parks and resorts with water play areas offer an opportunity to have fun while staying cool and refreshed

Beat the summer heat!

Water parks and resorts with water play areas offer an opportunity to have fun while staying cool and refreshed

If you want to enjoy the summer vacations with friends, family or even office colleagues, there is no better place than a water park or resorts with water play areas. You can enjoy the experience of being together and having fun without concerns of dehydration or fatigue. In fact, even with the hot summer sun glaring down in the middle of the afternoon, this is an excellent opportunity to stay cool and refreshed. Water parks are immensely popular because the facilities like water slides, splash pads, spray grounds, lazy rivers and other recreational concepts like wave pools have something for everyone. From rides that give you an adrenaline rush to those for people who want to just relax, the range is quite extensive. These are a few guidelines that can help you enjoy your 'beat the heat' experience to the fullest: l Be sure to caution children against swallowing water while enjoying the different rides. Take care that specified age and height restrictions are adhered to as certain rides may need control and co-ordination. l Keep very small children in shallow play areas and ensure that they are properly supervised. Don't get into any distracting activities when watching children, such as talking on a cell phone or reading. Ensure that you drink lots of fluids throughout the day to prevent dehydration. l Apply sunscreen early. Ultraviolet radiation (also known as UV rays) is the strongest during the summer, so generously apply waterproof sunscreen to your body 30 minutes before you go outside (Use SPF 15 or higher). l Apply pure aloe vera gel or lotion to sunburned areas. Stay inside until the sunburn heals. Avoid petroleum-based products like petroleum jelly because they may dry out or irritate the skin. Bring a T-shirt, hat, sunglasses and sandals or swim shoes for extra protection if needed. l The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes both adults and children. l To prevent choking, never chew gum or eat while swimming, diving or playing in water. Always check the water depth. Don't get too tired, too cold, too far from safety, exposed to too much sun or experience too much strenuous activity.