Safeguards if you take a Client’s children to a park
The numbers of people visiting city parks and open spaces has soared by 25% from 2010 – 2016. According to Natural England, latest figures show an estimated 879 million visits to parks in towns and cities in 2015/16.
Urban green spaces are increasingly utilised with an estimated 1.46 billion visits in 2015/16 compared with 1.16 billion in 2009/10. 93 per cent of the urban population claimed to have taken visits to the natural environment for recreation in the last 12 months says Natural England.
It is enjoyable and healthy but has your employer briefed you on protocols which ensuring children’s safety. They should discuss these with you
Things to take into account include: are you walking? are you aware of road safety? Will you be driving? if so ensure you have the the appropriate documentation and experience. Driving in London is very different from a rural environment.
Below are a few basic park playground safety tips:
- Ensure the children wear proper shoes, open-toed sandals are not ideal..
- Avoid the sand. …
- Watch out for hot surfaces. …
- Wear sunscreen and apply it at home. …
- Know the child’s limits. …
- Dress properly. … …
- Take water and snacks.
And just in case the children become separated from you, here are two useful ideas.
- Ask your employer to buy “safety Tats”, waterproof stickers which can last up to two weeks. Contact phone numbers and their name should be written on the stickers.
- Secondly, ICE medical tags, these can be particularly helpful if a child has specific medical requirements and/or allergies. A waterproof band has an engraved tag with appropriate contact and other relevant details. Enjoy the open spaces.