Myth of the month: Health and safety rules take the adventure out of playgrounds
March 23rd 2009 March's Myth of the Month looks at the myth that health and safety rules are taking the fun out of playtime.
The reality
The HSE says it's all for playgrounds being exciting and challenging places. Children should have fun in them, get fit, develop social skills and learn how to handle risks.
What’s important is to strike the right balance - protecting children from harm while allowing them the freedom to develop independence and risk awareness. Exciting and challenging playgrounds do this, poorly maintained or badly designed ones don't.
Health and safety laws don’t stop children having fun but ill-considered and overprotective actions do.
Download a printable poster version here
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