Pokemon Go - Stay safe and enjoy over the Summer break

​Before we finish this term for the Summer break we want to pass on a bit of advice for those of you who play Pokémon Go. We know lots of you will have the App (as some of us do!) and it is lots of fun. Here are some tips to stay safe and uninjured when you play:

1. Keep your heads up! I know it is easy to get glued to your phone screen, especially if there's a rare close by. Please remember the lampposts, pillars and buildings will not move out of your way whilst you chase a Snorlax.

2. Please remember to stick to the rules you've been taught about keeping yourselves safe online and in real life. You won't know a lot of the people who you play alongside or battle with at Gyms. Don't be fooled by a false feeling of safety. Stick with people you know from your day-to-day life (family & friends).

3. Stick to safe spaces and appropriate times of the day. For example chasing Pokémon at 2am is not something we would advise. Please don't go adventuring through abandoned houses, building sites, remote places or out on to the M6 motorway!

4. Last but not least - please have respect for where you are. Stay out of Private Property! Remember not everybody will understand or even care that there's a Pikachu hiding in their back garden. There are places that require quiet and peace so shouting at the top of your voice 'There's a Jigglypuff over there!' will not be acceptable. Similarly avoid places where emergency work is needed to be done - hospitals, fire stations, police stations, etc. Use your common sense in these situations.

Remember these key bits of advice and have fun. I hope you find a Mew or Charizard soon!

Enjoy your summer and keep safe.

Shona Christey
Safeguarding Officer