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Gotta Catch ‘Em All… Safely!

Pokemon Go: a global phenomenon!

Augmented reality app Pokémon GO has caused a stir in the smartphone world since its release last week, with players worldwide flocking to the streets to catch their favourite characters.

The press surrounding the new game hasn't been entirely positive, however, with a preoccupied driver crashing into a parked police car in Baltimore, USA yesterday whilst playing.

In light of incidents such as these police across the UK have voiced their concerns for users, issuing warnings to mobile gamers to ensure they don’t risk their own safety, or others.

Southern Area Command Chief Inspector Paul Milner at Sunderland and South Tyneside Police has said: "Pokémon GO is a fantastic game, it gets people out and about visiting new places and is great fun and I want to make it clear that the last thing we want to do is spoil that fun for people.

"We've been made aware that some children may be putting themselves at danger by getting too close to cliff edges and we just want to remind both children and parents to make sure they keep a safe distance from dangerous edges.

"I've been reliably informed that you can still catch Pokémon from quite a distance and while they might not be as close as they would like it is important children are not putting themselves in danger."

The NSPCC have released ‘Pokémon Go: a parent's guide’ warning parents about the dangers their children could face when playing the game.

These include meeting strangers face-to-face and getting lost, they say.

Police have also urged users to remain on the right side of the law whilst playing, and to avoid trespassing on other people’s property in order to catch their favourite characters.

Southalls health and safety consultancy, based in Solihull, told Tomorrow’s Health & Safety they have been inundated with calls from concerned merchants and business owners about their duty of care to gamers.

Southall’s Ian Hatherly commented: “Some clients, including builder’s merchants, have noticed an increase of people, phone in hand, outside their premises. They realised the premises had become a PokéStop – a location where players can collect extra points, features, or Pokémon.

“For merchants, and other businesses with potentially hazardous areas on site, this is a big concern as they have a duty to ensure the safety of members of the public on their sites.

“With busy merchant yards and delivery areas, regular vehicle movements and hazardous stock a serious risk is posed to players of the game. Businesses like this can’t allow people to wander off the street, totally unaware of the environment they are entering. It is important that commercial businesses are aware of the potential risk it presents.”

Those concerned about the unwanted attention from gamers on their property can request the removal of their premises as a PokéStop or Gym.

There are also concerns about the impact the game is having on drivers, with the AA warning drivers to remain aware of ‘smombies’, the smartphone zombie, and the ‘walking wi-fi dead’.

It isn’t just younger gamers that the authorities are concerned about, with the virtual-real world game appealing to smartphone owners of all ages.

Road safety charity Brake has issued a statement to deter mobile gamers of driving-age from playing Pokémon GO whilst behind the wheel.

A Brake spokesperson said: “The temptation for people to reach for their phone whilst driving or crossing the road is ever increasing, and only encouraged by interactive games like Pokémon GO that are now available to the public.

“There is no single solution to the problem of distracted driving. There will continue to be a need to educate drivers about the risk of using mobiles in (and around) vehicles, alongside strict law enforcement for those who continue to put lives at risk through distracted driving. In the meantime, Brake will continue to call for a total ban on mobile phone use at the wheel.”

So, whether you’re having a Pokémon ‘Gym Battle’ with your friends, or are walking through the local park searching for your favourite characters, remember to stay safe!


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