City of Aiken Parks Ban Gel Bead Blasters Amid Rising Concerns for Safety
The City of Aiken, South Carolina, Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department is taking strict measures to improve safety across all its recreational spaces with an immediate ban on the use of Gel Bead Blasters.
Figure 1: Gel Bead Blasters, a previously popular toy among park-goers, is now banned in parks managed by the City of Aiken, South Carolina
Gel Bead Blasters – Safety Risks Prompting the Ban
Gel Bead Blasters, also known as Splat Blasters, are battery-operated toys that can discharge water or gel pellets at high speed. They have become increasingly popular due to viral trends on various social media platforms. Unfortunately, their misuse has led to several incidents of injuries, causing alarm among city officials and local residents who frequent city parks.
“These little water pellets were getting shot at other kids on the playground or users of the park,” explained Jessica Campbell, Director of Aiken’s Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department. The City reported over ten injuries directly related to misuse of these toys, underlining the urgency of the situation.
City’s Response – Ensuring Public Safety
Responding swiftly, the City decided that forbidding Gel Bead Blasters was necessary to maintain public safety. “Just for the safety of our park users and the enjoyment of our park users, we needed to prohibit the use of these toys,” said Campbell. This decision was met with support from community members who had concerns about their children’s safety. Nikkali Moister, a parent from Aiken County, applauded the move emphatically.
Implementation of the Ban – Keeping the Parks Safe
To implement the ban, signage is prominently displayed in all of Aiken’s Parks, Recreation, and Tourism-managed spaces, warning about the prohibition of Gel Bead Blasters. This is aimed at reinforcing a safe environment and promoting an enjoyable experience for all park-goers. “We don’t want to have anyone be fearful while we have them coming to our parks and playing on our playgrounds,” Campbell reiterated.
The Ban – Indefinite and Efficient
This Gel Bead Blaster ban will remain in force indefinitely, with city officials continuing to monitor the situation. As summer draws families and children to outdoor spaces, the decision to implement this ban is viewed as a proactive step in assuring public safety and well-being.
