Risky business

From 23 to 29 June, the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) is organising Child Safety Week, to highlight the prevention of accidents that are life-threatening, disabling, disfiguring or cause long-term trauma and distress, with the theme 'one moment can change everything'. The Trust is appealing to play settings to join them in raising awareness.

However, the week comes at a time when there is a feeling in the playwork field that too much emphasis is being placed on children's safety - either from a fear of litigation from those supplying play provision or a general adult paranoia in society - which is stifling the very fun, freedom and development of the children it is meant to protect. Last year, to mark Playday, the Children's Play Council publicised the case of primary school children who were prevented from making daisy chains because they might pick up germs. Its research found that other traditional childhood games, ranging from playing with yo-yos to doing handstands had also been stopped.