Splash pad Q&A: injury

Keep the child still until you confirm no head, neck, or limb injury. Move them off the wet surface to a dry shaded spot, apply a cold compress to bumps, clean and bandage scrapes, and watch for any change in alertness. Call 911 for any loss of consciousness or suspected fracture.

Move the child away from the area, scrape the stinger out sideways with a fingernail or card, wash with soap and water, apply a cold pack and dab on hydrocortisone or baking-soda paste. Watch for swelling beyond the sting, hives, wheezing, or facial swelling — those signal anaphylaxis and need 911.

Use grippy water shoes, walk don't run, set a clear no-running rule for kids, avoid worn or slick areas of the pad, watch for soap or sunscreen film, and skip days right after the pad has been chlorine-shocked. Most falls happen when toddlers race or pivot at full speed.

Watch 24-48 hours for repeated vomiting, unusual sleepiness or hard to wake, slurred speech, uneven pupils, severe or worsening headache, seizures, clear fluid from nose or ears, balance problems, or behavior changes. Any of these means immediate ER care, not a wait-and-see at home.

Rinse the wound with bottled water, scrub gently with mild soap if dirty, apply pressure to bleeding for 5-10 minutes, dab with antiseptic, cover with a waterproof bandage, and keep out of the water for the rest of the visit. Watch for redness, pus, or fever — splash pad water can introduce infections.

Tilt their head with the irritated eye down, pour clean lukewarm bottled water from the inner corner outward for 5-10 minutes, blink frequently, and avoid rubbing. Persistent pain, blurred vision, redness lasting more than 24 hours, or light sensitivity needs urgent care.

Get them off the pad, examine the foot, and remove the object only if it is shallow and you can grasp it cleanly. Wash with soap and water, apply pressure for bleeding, bandage waterproof, and seek care for embedded objects, deep wounds, or any glass, rusty metal, or animal-related material.

Do not move them or the limb. Look for visible deformity, severe pain, swelling, or unwillingness to bear weight. Stabilize with a rolled towel, apply a cold pack with cloth between, and get to urgent care or ER. Call 911 if the bone is exposed, bleeding heavily, or the injury is to the spine, head, or hip.