NICE consultation on safe outdoor play open until 13 July

The Preventing unintentional injuries among under 15s: outdoor play and leisure draft guideline consultation, by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), aims to equip organisations working with young children with the advice and safety information needed to keep children safe.

The guidance also outlines the risks involved with playgrounds, skate parks, canals, fields and farmyards and advises on how best to avoid accidental injuries associated with these outdoor play areas. 

NICE public health excellence centre director Mike Kelly said: "The draft guidance recommends play and leisure activities should maintain a balance between providing exciting, stimulating challenges — which can help children and young people develop skills for managing risk — and minimising the risk of injury.

"The aim of developing this new guidance is to make sure children and young people, their parents and carers have a good understanding about the risks associated with outdoor play and how to stay safe."

The report forms part of NICE's development of a five-part guidance document on how to prevent unintentional injures among children and young people under 15, which will include guidance on road design and modification, education and protective equipment to prevent road injuries, risk assessments to prevent home injuries and providing safety equipment, and strategies, legislation, regulation, enforcement, surveillance and workforce development.

The guidance is now under consultation until 13 July.  It is expected to be completed in November to form a framework of policy and advice for organisations and staff working with young people.