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Section 8. Out and About with Children
This section aims to help childminders prepare for outings and insure that children remain safe. It includes help with road safety and car seat legislation.
Contents
- Permission for Outings
- Planning
- How Not to Lose Children
- Stranger Danger
- Car Outings
- Child Car Restraints/Seats
- Public Transport
- Travel/Motion Sickness
- Walking
- Escalators
- Road Safety
- Swimming Pool Safety
Quotes from this chapter:
Lost Children
You can prepare children by giving instructions on what to do if they do get lost. Simple instructions can be taught even to young children: 'If you can't find me, stop and look around. If you still can't see me then go to the nearest shop and ask the person behind the till, they will help you find me'. You will need to explain the importance of finding someone that works in a shop, not just asking a stranger. Children can identify shop keepers or people working at an activity centre or similar by their uniforms or name tags. Make a game of spotting people who would be safe to ask for help so children can learn the difference.
If you do lose sight of a child, it is important not to panic. First stop and look around and call their name. Check where you last saw the child and ask at the nearest shop or place where the child may have gone if lost. Check dangerous places first such as water and roads. Listen carefully for public announcements. If you are in a shopping centre or similar find the nearest information desk or member of the security staff, they will know if anyone has found a child and will send people to look for them. If you are out on the street or in an open place call the police using a mobile phone or from the nearest shop or call box.
Child Car Seat Law
It is compulsory for children under three years old to wear an appropriate child restraint. Children over three and under twelve years old (unless they are over 135cm (4ft 5ins) in height) must also wear an appropriate child restraint if the vehicle is fitted with seat belts. Children over twelve years or over 135cm in height can wear an adult seat belt. In Southern Ireland children must be over 150cm in height to travel with only an adult seatbelt. Taxis are exempt from these rules, unless restraints are available in which case they must be worn. Do not allow a child to sit on your lap while a car is moving (even if you are not driving) this is not safe. Never travel with a child on an adults lap or two children sharing a seat belt.
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