As Child Safety Week, running until 9 June, gets underway, Barratt David Wilson Homes is urging children in Wiltshire to steer clear of building sites. With longer evenings and the school summer holidays fast approaching, the dangers these sites pose become more pronounced, making this message all the more pertinent.
Child Safety Week, an annual campaign by the Child Accident Prevention Trust, aims to ignite vital safety conversations and activities across the UK. It seeks to empower families with the knowledge and skills to manage real risks, ensuring children can grow and learn free from serious harm.
“Curiosity and adventure are crucial for a child’s development, but it’s important to highlight the hazards of construction sites,” said Mark Hughes, head of construction at Barratt David Wilson Homes South West. “There are many safe ways to stay active and have fun, and we invite local children and their families to explore the numerous nature trails, play areas, and open spaces surrounding our developments.”
Currently, Barratt David Wilson Homes is constructing at Orchards Rise, Orchards View, and Wichel Fields at Wichelstowe. They are appealing to parents to encourage their children to stay away from building sites, which, while they may seem like an exciting place to explore, are fraught with hidden dangers.
To help keep children safe, Barratt David Wilson Homes offers these top five tips:
1. Do not enter
Construction areas are clearly signposted and fenced off from public access and shouldn’t be entered by at night or weekends when the workforce has gone home. If your child does end up in a situation where their ball has gone over the fence, simply notify the construction site workers when they’re on-site and they’ll safely return it. It’s easy to spot authorised site teams – they’ll be wearing a high-visibility jacket, hard hat and appropriate footwear.
2. Deep pits or holes
Developments which are still under construction often have uneven surfaces — occasionally with deeper pits or holes which may fill with water, hazardous waste or dangerous objects. If a child ever encounters a deep area, they should stay as far away as possible to avoid tripping or falling in — even if the ‘water’ does look tempting.
3. Hazardous waste
The hazardous waste that’s generated – whether it’s from old buildings, wood, or the grounds of the site – is extremely dangerous. Construction sites have designated ‘hazardous stations’ for the collection of such substances, which should be avoided at all times. These may be poisonous, toxic or flammable and could damage skin if touched.
4. Unfinished houses
Housing developments which are still under construction will almost always have unfinished houses dotted around them. Unfinished properties might contain elements which are yet to be secured, dangerous toxins or trip hazards. So even if they look like a fun place to shelter from the rain or play hide and seek, they must not be entered.
5. Do not climb
Every construction site is laden with scaffolding and ladders that won’t necessarily be closed off from entering — but that doesn’t mean they should be climbed upon, whatever their height.
Likewise, heavy machinery is usually kept on-site overnight until building works are complete. But while they may look like the perfect climbing frame, heavy machinery should be left well alone.
Kevin White, construction director at Barratt Homes Bristol, emphasised the importance of this message: “While our teams monitor sites during the day and secure them at night, it’s crucial that children understand the potential dangers and stay away from construction areas.”
