Swimsuit Colors That Are Considered The Most Dangerous For Kids To Wear To Water Parks

Whether you're staying local or heading somewhere new, warmer destinations generally mean one thing: It's time to get outside. From hitting up one of the country's most underrated beach towns to venturing out to a must-visit indoor water park (especially if the weather's still a little too cold for comfort), there are plenty of ways to cool off and have fun. However, in between the splashing and swimming, one of the most important factors to keep in mind is safety — especially when it comes to children.

That said, behind all the fun lies a pretty sobering reality. From 2020 to 2022, about 4,500 people died each year from drowning (via the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) — and the numbers are devastating for kids. According to the Children Safety Network, around 900 young lives are lost each year due to drowning. The highest risk? Kids under five, who face the greatest danger in the water.

However, experts found a surprising factor that could help protect kids in the water — and it's all to do with the color of their swimsuit. According to a series of tests by the water safety experts at ALIVE Solutions Inc., there are certain swimsuit colors that can make kids nearly invisible underwater, while others stand out almost instantly. The winners? For water parks (and pools in general), neon pink and neon orange are the colors that pop the most. On the other hand, common colors like light blue, white, and gray blend dangerously with the water's surface — making it tougher for lifeguards and parents to spot a kid quickly in an emergency.

In order to land on their top picks, the team at ALIVE Solutions examined 14 different swimsuit colors in both pool and lake environments to determine which ones offered the best visibility. In pools with light-colored bottoms, neon colors (specifically pink and orange) came out on top as the most visible. On the other hand, traditional darker colors can be easily mistaken for shadows, leaves, or dirt on the pool floor. Even worse, white swimsuits — despite looking bright and eye-catching out of the water — actually reflect light in ways that practically make them disappear underwater.

As for dark pool bottoms, things get a little trickier. While neon yellow, green, and orange still stand out best, other colors behave differently in these environments. The blue water makes red, pink, and orange suits appear darker than you'd expect, while white suits fade quickly as you move away. Meanwhile, dark colors like black, gray, and dark green are basically invisible. Similarly, the team also tested what happens with patterned swimsuits. Per their findings, when it comes to patterns, small designs don't impact visibility much. However, large dark patterns can significantly reduce how well a suit can be seen. For example, a solid neon orange swimsuit proved to be a lot more visible than one with large navy stripes.

Lastly, the results were even more dramatic in lake settings, where visibility dropped considerably in murky water as shallow as just 18 inches. And while neon colors still performed well, neon pink fell surprisingly short in lake conditions. All of this further emphasizes the importance of safe swimming practices like wearing a life jacket, constant supervision, and having a designated "water watcher" (especially if you're on an outdoor trip).