| Swings and climbing frames can rust, lose their bolts | | | | sites. Discarded fridges, ovens and car boots can |
| or break, so overhaul all outdoor play equipment at | | | | easily form airtight traps which are impossible for a |
| least once a year. Teach children to keep well clear | | | | child to escape from. |
| when a swing is being used, as either the seat or a | | | | Water safety |
| child's foot can deliver a very hard blow. Bicycles | | | | Never let young children play in or near water |
| should also be regularly overhauled with particular | | | | unsupervised, however shallow it may be. Many |
| attention being paid to the brakes. A child can easily | | | | children have drowned in just a few inches of water |
| be thrown over the handlebars if she tries to stop at | | | | before anyone realized what was happening. |
| speed when her back brakes aren't working. | | | | Teaching your children to swim is sensible, but never |
| If you take your child to a public playground, choose | | | | let children swim without some supervision. Rivers, |
| one in which the swings and slides are well maintained | | | | canals and flooded quarries can be dangerous as they |
| and set on grass or on a special, shock-absorbent | | | | may be deep, weedy, or have fast currents. When |
| surface. Ordinary tarmac or concrete is more | | | | you're by the sea, make sure you can always see |
| dangerous if children fall on it. Supervise your child | | | | your child when she is swimming without you. |
| when she is climbing until she gains confidence, and | | | | Inflatable toys, sunbeds and boats can easily be |
| try to encourage her to climb only as far as she | | | | swept out to sea, so keep them on a line or go into |
| knows she safely can. | | | | the water with them. If your child likes fishing, teach |
| It's wise to teach children how to use their common | | | | her always to fish somewhere within sight of other |
| sense when playing. Lessons such as not pointing | | | | people. |
| catapults, guns and bows and arrows at each other's | | | | If you take your child in a boat, make sure there is a |
| faces have to be repeated time after time before | | | | suitable life jacket for her. Small children may be |
| they sink in. Make sure your child knows that she | | | | safest if tied to part of the boat with a fine rope. |
| should never put a plastic bag over her head. | | | | Holiday safety tips |
| Buy the right safety equipment for sports and make | | | | - Check what immunizations are needed for the |
| sure that children are properly supervised. When it | | | | country you are visiting and get any necessary ones |
| comes to bonfire night, don't let children light | | | | done in good time. |
| fireworks or investigate those which have been lit, | | | | - Check that any equipment provided, such as a cot |
| but haven't gone off. Keep them well away from the | | | | and highchair, is safe. |
| bonfire and the area where fireworks are lit. | | | | - Guard against sunburn and heatstroke. |
| Older children who may play away from home must | | | | - If you are going abroad, check whether the local |
| be warned never to play on railway embankments, | | | | water is safe to drink. |
| on building sites, by canals or rivers, and on rubbish | | | | |