Consumer watchdog to check water park safety
After several drownings at Swedish water parks are believed to be due to park safety flaws, the incidents have prompted an official investigation by the Swedish Consumer Agency (Konsumentverket).
"In many cases the parental supervision has been lacking, but there are also flaws in the parks' safety information and signage," explained the agency's Maria Lindstedt to Sveriges Radio (SR).
Last year a boy drowned at a water park in Örebro, in central Sweden, and several other incidents have occurred recently.
The Swedish Consumer Agency will be taking a closer look at the safety regulations at Swedens water parks, closely aided by the Swedish Sea Rescue Society (Livräddningssällskapet) and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap, MSB), reported SR.
The agency's investigation will go on for the next two years.
"This year we'll be visiting several parks to see what skill levels they demand of their staff, and what safety information they provide for their guests," said Maria Lindstedt.
Lindstedt pointed out that parents should keep an eye on their children when visiting water parks.
"It's important to be able to swim, and don't forget that parents are always responsible to keep watch over their children. The parks are staffed, and you might think that there's a life guard watching, but they can't see every child at every moment," said Lindstedt to SR.
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"In many cases the parental supervision has been lacking, but there are also flaws in the parks' safety information and signage," explained the agency's Maria Lindstedt to Sveriges Radio (SR).
Last year a boy drowned at a water park in Örebro, in central Sweden, and several other incidents have occurred recently.
The Swedish Consumer Agency will be taking a closer look at the safety regulations at Swedens water parks, closely aided by the Swedish Sea Rescue Society (Livräddningssällskapet) and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap, MSB), reported SR.
The agency's investigation will go on for the next two years.
"This year we'll be visiting several parks to see what skill levels they demand of their staff, and what safety information they provide for their guests," said Maria Lindstedt.
Lindstedt pointed out that parents should keep an eye on their children when visiting water parks.
"It's important to be able to swim, and don't forget that parents are always responsible to keep watch over their children. The parks are staffed, and you might think that there's a life guard watching, but they can't see every child at every moment," said Lindstedt to SR.
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