A Winnipeg mother is calling on the province to inspect waterslides regularly after her preschooler was injured at Fun Mountain Waterslide Park.
Jennifer Hoare said her four-year-old daughter went feet first down one of the kids slides at the water park on Aug. 17.
When she reached the bottom, Hoare said she notice a large chunk of fiberglass covered in paint lodged in the toddler’s big toe.
On advice from her pediatrician, Hoare said she took her daughter to the hospital. Hoare said doctors were forced to pin her down, freeze the toe, and pry out the fiberglass.
“She was wailing, ‘mommy it hurts’,” said a visibly upset Hoare.
Hoare said she notified a lifeguard at Fun Mountain about the hazard moments after the incident, but was told the injury happens from time to time.
Hoare said the slide was not shut down, and staff gave two free passes to return at a later date.
“We have a lot of incidents”
Fun Mountain said Monday it can’t comment on the specific incident involving the toddler, but said minor injuries, cuts scrapes and bruises happen every day.
“I'm a mom too. It doesn't matter if the injury is small or big, you're always worried about your children,” said Fun Mountain owner Tanya Hall.
Hall said the park believes the incident involving the toddler was minor, and likely involved a piece of paint, not fiberglass.
“We have a lot of things that happen at the park every day. That’s why we have lifeguards, CPR, oxygen,” she added.
Fun Mountain said it sees about 1500 visitors on an average summer day and takes safety seriously.
“When you consider how many people we get through the park every day and the number the minor things that happen, that’s why we employ staff that can handle it.”
Fun Mountain said it inspects slides every day before opening, staffs lifeguards and supplies a first aid station.
“We have a lot of incidents,” said Hall. “Every morning our lifeguards and our hill monitors walk these slides up and down. We are checking fiberglass, we’re checking paint, we’re checking twigs. We record everything."
Waterslide inspections
Hoare said she would like to see the province conduct regular inspections of waterslides: once at the beginning of the season, once in the middle, and once at the end of the season.
In an email to CTV News on Monday, the province said public health officials inspect waterslides for water quality and have the power to look into waterslide safety issues.
“Public Health Officers (PHI) are responsible to ensure the water quality and ensure that the receiving water basin of any pool facility is to code under the Swimming Pool Regulation. This regulation does not specifically cover water slide, however, since 2009, Public Health Inspectors (PHI) have the power to look into issues that they believe are putting the public at risk and request that the problem be fixed under the Health Hazard Regulation of the Public Health Act. This can include waterslides. If the facility owner does not fix a problem that is believed to be a serious threat, then a medical officer of health can order the owner to take action or face closure,” said the statement.
The province said Fun Mountain was inspected for water quality on June 10 and Aug. 11of this year, and on both days it was found to be in compliance with our regulations.
The province said it’s important for users of waterslides to follow all guidelines and instructions about the safe use of the slides, including height and age requirements, proper use of the slide and instructions from water park staff.
Currently, the Office of the Fire Commissioner does not inspect waterslides. They fall under the jurisdiction of Manitoba Health, the province said.
The province could not confirm to CTV News if any changes were in the works for the province to inspect waterslides, the same way it inspects amusement park rides.
Fun Mountain owner, Tanya Hall said she would be happy to comply with the province if it formalized inspections of waterslides in Manitoba.
Warning to protect feet on waterslides
Hoare is also warning others sliders at Fun Mountain to protect their feet.
“Make your kids wear water shoes,” she said.
She said aside for from the trauma of the experience, her daughter’s toe is on the mend
“It’s gone from an ‘owee’ to a ‘boo boo’,” she said.
