MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – Red Oaks Waterpark in Madison Heights closed Tuesday as dangerously high temperatures hit Metro Detroit.
The park has since reopened with reduced hours and discounted ticket prices Wednesday and Thursday.
The decision to shorten operating hours may seem like the wrong choice, but it’s a deliberate safety strategy. Fewer hours on the clock means fewer opportunities for heat-related emergencies.
---> If you or someone you know needs help finding a cooling center, you can see our full list here.
Workers face unique risks in the heat
It’s easy to focus on guests when thinking about heat safety, but the people staffing the park face serious dangers, too. Unlike visitors, employees can’t simply jump in a pool or retreat to a shady spot when they start feeling the effects of the heat -- they’re on the job.
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are real risks for outdoor workers, and those risks don’t go away just because they’re surrounded by water.
Being wet doesn’t mean being safe
One of the most confusing dangers of a water park on a hot day is that the water itself can mask how much heat stress a person’s body is under. When people are submerged or splashing around, they may not notice how much they’re sweating -- or that they’re sweating at all.
Being wet does not prevent heat stroke or heat exhaustion. The body’s core temperature can still rise to dangerous levels regardless of how much water a person has been in.
It’s better to drink water than to be in water.
Children are especially at risk
Kids are particularly vulnerable in extreme heat because they often don’t recognize the warning signs of overheating or dehydration.
Children may keep playing until they become seriously ill, making adult supervision and proactive hydration breaks critical.
Lines, concrete, reflected sun add to the danger
Waiting in line at a water park on a hot day may be one of the most hazardous parts of the experience. People standing in queues are often fully exposed to direct sunlight, with little to no shade.
Concrete surfaces in direct sunlight can reach temperatures of up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Making matters worse, sunlight reflects off both concrete and water, meaning visitors can be hit with intense solar radiation from multiple directions at once.
Related: It’s dangerously hot in Metro Detroit. Here’s where to cool off