|
How
Safe Are Water Balls |
|
According to the Water Ball Safety Council, proper use of water balls requires a lifeguard in the pool at all times to watch the children for distress or anxiety. Each child is instructed to hold up their arms in an X to indicate they are tired and want out and they can be extracted from the pool in 30 seconds. In addition there are usually two additional lifeguards on a platform loading and unloading the water balls and they are constantly watching the children along with the lifeguard in the pool. Water balls are dangerous if used in a back yard pool because the edges of the pool are hard and a child can fall against the edge and hurt themselves. Properly managed water balls are used in an inflated pool with soft edges and only 18 inches of water. Also in a back yard pool the child is less likely to be adequately supervised to prevent suffocation. In a well run water ball ride at fairs and festivals, the operators know the dangers and take precautions against bodily injury and/or suffocation. The child is only in the ball for 5 minutes and then when the child is removed, 90 percent of the air is replaced with fresh air and oxygen about every 5 minutes. Water Party Balls are usually the most popular ride at a fair or festival. When kids see any swimming pool they want in and when they get a chance to walk on water, no parent can resist the child's desires. The water balls are equipped with special Tizip zippers made in Germany that prevent water from entering the ball. The only time a child gets wet is if they kneel on the wet loading platform, or they have an accident and wet their pants. Children are instructed to remove shoes, socks, hair pins and any sharp objects in their pockets that can damage the ball. There are two types of balls in use, PVC and TPU balls. The PVC balls, poly vinyl chloride, contain phthalates which is a plasticizer and is suspected to cause health problems in children. The proper balls to use are TPU, or Thermo Plastic Urethane balls which are much healthier with no toxic out gassing. Water balls and boats are a bad mixture. First boats are on lakes and rivers and the ball can rapidly float away unless tethered. It is tempting to ride a ball down a river and view the scenery, however once in a ball, it is very difficult or impossible to get out of a ball. Do not use water balls on large bodies of water. Only use a water ball inside a controlled area such as an inflated swimming pool Wikipedia and the US Government have issued warnings for water balls stating "there is no safe way" to use them. However it is obvious that the US Government and Wikpedia have not totally investigated the proper safety features to be used with water balls. Water balls are used all over the world, and the US Government and Wikipedia need to review their positions on safe usage of water balls. Water Balls can be dangerous if improperly used, however when properly managed, they are very safe. When reviewing the Consumer Product Safety Commission, they openly state that the "CSPC does not have the resources to investigate the accuracy of every Report or comment submitted for inclusion on SaferProducts.com." "furthermore "The CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by persons outside of the CPSC". To make things worse, numerous press sources have jumped on the band wagon quoting the CPSC and that makes the situation worse without consideration for the truth. The truth is, today's water ball operators have removed all the dangerous features and are now able to provide a safe ride for children at fairs and festivals in a controlled environment. Outside of a controlled environment, anything can and will happen. It is the same as Ferris wheels and roller coasters, they must be in a controlled environment to be safe. |
Water
Party Balls can be safe if properly managed. Otherwise they can
present hidden problems resulting in suffocation, bodily injury, or death. Each
water ball has about 60 minutes of oxygen for a small child and less for
a full grown adult. The adult will burn more energy and consume
more oxygen. When used properly, water balls are as safe as Ferris
wheels, roller coasters, or any other carnival ride. Probably more people are hurt
on roller coasters than water balls every year. The big difference between a
Ferris Wheel or roller coaster and a Water Party Ball is the Water Party Ball is a lot
more fun as the children try to walk on water. It is also
entertaining for the parents as they watch their children walk on water.