Developer warning: construction sites aren’t adventure playgrounds

As the school summer holidays get under way, Linden Homes is warning adventure-seeking children, and their parents, about the dangers of building sites.

The stark message from the regional new homes builder comes as construction work on a series of new and existing developments is due to continue through the summer.

Each year, many children are injured and some even killed as a result of construction site accidents in the UK, as youngsters seek out a seemingly exciting place to play.

According to the most recent Health and Safety Executive figures (2008/09) one child was killed and 25 others were injured as a result of accidents on building sites in the UK.

In line with the HSE, Linden Homes is encouraging parents to warn their children of the dangers of playing on or near building sites.

Linden Homes production director Brendan Blythe said: "Understandably some children are drawn to construction sites as exciting places to play, but they are not playgrounds and playing on them can have fatal consequences.

“The school holidays present an ideal opportunity for a timely reminder to children and parents about the dangers of construction sites – almost all of which continue to remain active throughout the summer.

“The lighter evenings during the summer months create more time for children to play outdoors – however, we would appeal to parents to check that their youngsters are in a safe environment when playing.”

Linden Homes does have strict and visible guidelines in place at each construction site.

And to help spread the important message to youngsters, the company regularly hosts site visits for schoolchildren and their teachers in attempts to raise awareness of potential dangers.

According to HSC figures, 30 children aged 15 and under were seriously injured and one child died in the construction sector in 2006/07. In 2007/08 28 children were seriously injured.