Keep safe and enjoy your summer break
Summer safety information has been shared to help ensure children and young people stay safe and have fun over the summer holiday period.
The campaign aims to share useful advice and information with parents/carers so they can help raise awareness of a wide-range of issues which could potentially affect pupils as they look to enjoy their summer break.
The following are just some of the topics covered in the Summer Safety information for pupils:
With friends: Children love to go and play with their friends. Make sure a family member knows where the children are going and when they will be back.
In the sun: Everyone needs some sun to help keep their bodies healthy, but overexposure to UV can lead to sunburn, premature ageing and skin cancer. Protect your eyes and skin by spending time in the shade when the sun is at its strongest (11am to 3pm in the UK), use sunglasses, wear a hat and apply sunscreen to exposed skin.
In your garden: Around your barbecue (BBQ) keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area. Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergencies. Avoid injury to children from sharp garden tools by keeping them in good repair and safely tidied away after use.
Around cars: Drivers should watch out for children playing. Be aware that you may have blind spots, where small children can be hidden from view. Young children and pets should never be left alone inside a vehicle, even when the engine is turned off.
Around water: Swimming in open water such as lochs, reservoirs, rivers and burns can hold hidden dangers such as extremely cold water, debris, and fast currents. Garden ponds can also hold dangers for very young children.
Executive councillor for education, Andrew McGuire said: "We want to ensure that everyone has a safe, fun summer and that whether activities are planned or not, someone takes a few minutes to make sure that everyone is safe."
"It is worth going over the basics now with frequent reminders during the summer. We hope all of our pupils enjoy their summer and we look forward to welcoming them back to school in August."
Visit www.westlothian.gov.uk/summersafe for more information.
