Safeguarding Bulletin

Dear Parents and carers,

As we approach the half-term break, including celebrations like Halloween and potential fireworks displays, it’s important to take extra precautions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your child. In addition to this it is the end of daylight savings and the clocks turn back, the nights will start getting darker earlier. With this change, it’s important to be mindful of your child's safety, especially when they’re traveling to and from school or attending evening activities.

Here are some key safety tips and advice to help you keep your child safe during this busy and exciting period.

Halloween Safety Tips

Trick-or-Treating Safety:

- Always accompany younger children and agree on a safe route for older ones.

- Remind your child not to enter anyone's home or car and to stay in well-lit areas.

- Set a curfew and check in regularly if your child is going out with friends.

- Check all treats for tampering before they are consumed.

- Please remind your child about being mindful of which properties they visit, if they know someone elderly lives there maybe avoid it to not potentially cause panic or worry.

Online Safety:

- Halloween can lead to an increase in social media activity. Encourage your child to be mindful of the information they share online, especially location-based posts.

- Remind them not to engage with online strangers and to report any suspicious activity.

- In addition to this Trading Standards have issued a safety warning for Halloween, covering things to consider when buying/using costumes, decorations and novelty items. Please click on this link for more information. https://www.devonsomersettradingstandards.gov.uk/hallowe.../ 

Fireworks/bonfire displays:

1. Fireworks Safety:

- Only attend organised public firework displays where safety measures are in place.

- Keep a safe distance from fireworks and bonfires. Fireworks are dangerous and should not be handled by children.

- Teach your child about the risks of fireworks and the importance of following safety rules.

2. Bonfire Safety:

- Bonfires can quickly get out of control. Ensure your child stays a safe distance away and is supervised at all times if attending one.

- Never allow children to throw anything into a bonfire or play with sparklers without adult supervision.

Travelling during darker mornings/evenings

Safe Travel Routes:

- Stick to well-lit routes. Make sure your child knows to choose well-lit streets and avoid shortcuts through poorly lit areas like alleyways or parks.

- Walk with friends. Encourage your child to walk with friends or in groups if possible, particularly if they’re walking home from after-school clubs or evening activities.

- Plan ahead. Ensure your child knows their route well and has a plan for getting home safely. If using public transport, they should wait in well-lit areas and be aware of their surroundings.

Road Safety:

- Be Extra Cautious Around Roads: With reduced daylight, it can be harder for drivers to see pedestrians, particularly at crossings. Remind your child to be extra careful when crossing roads and avoid distractions like mobile phones or headphones.

- Use Pedestrian Crossings: Encourage your child to always use pedestrian crossings and wait for the green signal. Even then, remind them to check both ways before crossing.

Personal Safety:

- Stay Aware of Surroundings: Remind your child to stay alert, especially when walking alone. Encourage them to avoid distractions like texting or using headphones at full volume, which can reduce their awareness of traffic or other people nearby.

- Carry a Charged Phone: Make sure your child’s phone is fully charged when they leave the house, and discuss regular check-in times, particularly when it’s dark.

- Know Emergency Contacts: Ensure your child knows how to contact you or another trusted adult if they feel unsafe or encounter any issues on their way home.

General Half Term Safety:

Social Media Awareness:

- Encourage your child to think carefully before posting pictures or details of their whereabouts online. Oversharing can put them at risk.

- Remind them to use privacy settings and only accept friend requests from people they know in real life.

Stranger Danger:

- If your child is spending time outdoors or with friends, remind them about the importance of staying in groups and never talking to or accepting lifts from strangers.

- Agree on check-in times and ensure they have a fully charged phone with them.

Curfew and Boundaries:

- Set clear boundaries regarding where your child can go and at what times. Remind them of the importance of returning home by the agreed time and keeping you informed of any changes to their plans.

By following these guidelines, we can work together to ensure that your child enjoys a fun and safe half-term. If you have any concerns about your child’s safety, please do not hesitate to reach out to us or seek support from local safeguarding authorities.

If you have safeguarding concerns about a child that requires a social worker please email familiesfirst@plymouth.gov.uk

If it is an urgent safeguarding concern, please make an immediate referral by phoning the Families First on 01752 668000, or 01752 346984 out of hours.

You can also contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000

Wishing you and your family a safe and enjoyable half-term break.