3rd July 2006
For Immediate Release
With the new community playground now finished at Magdalen Square, the Borough Council is asking kids to use the play ground safely. This follows several incidents at the weekend resulting from the misuse of the new spinning net.
Councillor Bob Peck, Play Champion for the Council said “the net, which is designed to hold children both on the inside and outside, has proved to be an incredibly popular item, but unfortunately some of the children have been misusing the item and playing with it in a exuberant fashion. One child suffered a broken jaw after fellow playmates spun the net round so fast the centrifugal force caused the boy to let go, resulting in this most unfortunate accident.
We urge children not to abuse the equipment but to use it safely and with common sense. It has been reported that around 40 kids were seen using this item at once on Friday evening, including sitting on the top of the net which is plainly not the right thing to do.”
Children are being asked to follow this simple code:
Be Aware
- don’t spin the net too fast as it makes it unsafe for your fellow playmates.
- don’t climb on the top of the net or the actual structure.
- if there are lots of kids on it, come back later. Playing with others is great fun but use common sense!
- don’t leave bikes or belongings within the ‘safety zone’.
Adults are being urged to help regulate the item and to point out to users any dangerous activity they see. The Children at Peterhouse Middle School are receiving a talk from Emma Dixon, the Councils’ Environmental Strategy Officer, in school assembly on Wednesday 5th July on the proper way to use their new playground.
Emma Dixon, Environmental Strategy Officer for the Borough Council said “Anything can become dangerous when misused. We take the safety of our children very seriously and despite the item itself not being dangerous and passing all European safety standards, we are working with the play company to see if they can adapt the unit for the usage its receiving. This playground is there for the whole community, and we have received very positive feedback about it. I have never seen so many kids use a playground, which is fantastic to see, but we really urge the kids not to abuse the equipment and to use it properly. Spinning it to such an extend that you cause your fellow playmates severe injury is just not acceptable.”
For further information please contact Emma Dixon, Great Yarmouth Borough Council: Tel: 01493 846442email:
eld@great-yarmouth.gov.uk