During the summer months children will spend the majority of their days outdoors, whether it’s playing outside, taking part in summer camps or on holidays with their family. NSAI are offering parents some simple safety tips to take note during the summer months to avoid accidents.
 
One way of ensuring your families safety is by making yourself aware of safety standards that are in place on products. These standards are provided to protect your family, so it is important to take note of them when making a purchase.
 
Protect your vision: Consumers should keep an eye out for sunglasses that meet the I.S, EN 1836 standard. This standard ensures that eyewear purchased is for protection against solar radiation or UV rays. Eyewear that does not have this marking could risk you and your children suffering eye damage.  
 
Sports Safety: Check all sports equipment for the CE (Conformité Européenne) mark which is an indication that the manufacturer is stating that the product meets the essential safety requirements set down by the appropriate EU Directive. Helmets should always be worn when cycling, skateboarding or playing hurling. There are also safety standards implemented on goal posts - NSAI developed Standards I.S. 356 and I.S. 357 - Standards in Goalpost Safety. These standards put codes of practice in place which sporting bodies and organisations can adhere to across all sports, including GAA, soccer and rugby.
 
Buoyancy Aids:  If your child is learning how to swim or still needs armband aids when in the pool or sea, make sure that these aids meet the standard I.S. EN 13138-1 for buoyancy aids is met. If the product clearly states this standard on its tag, it ensures that rigorous safety test methods have been put into use and met and they are safe to be worn by your child.
 
Camping: Many families will opt for a camping holiday so it’s important to be aware of the standards you should be looking for when purchasing camping equipment. NSAI are asking all campers to take note of CE markings and standards on tents they purchase. I.S. EN 15619 and IS EN 13782 are both tent safety standards that will ensure the design, structure and fabric used in your tent is reliable, secure and flame retardant to avoid a dangerous situation.
 
Trampolines and bouncing castles are very popular in the summer and are often hired out for parties, barbeques and birthdays. NSAI advise parents to be vigilant and take special precautions regarding set up surroundings, weather and number of persons using the structure to ensure that everyone has a safe and fun experience. When buying or hiring a trampoline, make sure it comes with a safety net and a protective pad around the springs and that it also meets the I.S. EN 13219 standard. Bouncing castles should meet the I.S. EN 14960 which tests and ensures that materials, design and structural integrity of the inflatable unit is fully safe and reliable for use.  Ensure that the inflatable is securely anchored with a minimum of six anchorage points.
 
For more information on safety and standards, visit www.nsai.ie.
 
About NSAI: NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) is Ireland’s official standards and measurement body and the state agency vested with the responsibility to manage the policy instruments of Standards, Metrology and Conformity Assessment, (in the form of Certification and Agrément) on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Jobs, and Innovation. 

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