Express & Star

Ho, ho, no! Santa's knee is off limits to children for 'safety reasons'

It's 'elf and safety gone mad. Roll up and tell Santa what you want for Christmas boys and girls – but just don't sit on his lap.

Published

Some grottos have decided the age-old tradition of sitting on Father Christmas' knee is no longer allowed because of 'safety reasons'.

They are said to be following guidance from safeguarding group Safe Network, which has recommended children should sit next to Santa instead.

Safe Network, which is jointly run by the NSPCC and Children England, has dedicated a page on its website to grotto visits.

It says: "It is recommended that children stand when talking to Santa or sit on a seat placed alongside Santa. Santa or assistants should not actively invite children to 'kiss' Santa. If a child wishes to kiss Santa this should be on the cheek. Parents should be discouraged from making their children kiss Santa or assistants."

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It adds that Santa and his assistants should also not invite children to sit on Santa's knee.

"Some children may wish to sit on Santa's knee and even clamber on: if it is the child's wish it may be allowed with the parent's consent," it continues.

One department store to adopt this policy is Beatties in Wolverhampton.

Mother-of-one Sally Walmsley was shocked when she was told by a member of staff that shop policy meant her 11-month old daughter Lara could not sit on Santa's knee.

Sally Walmsley with 11-month-old daughter Lara

The 35-year-old, who is from Wolverhampton, said: "It is my daughter's first Christmas so I was really excited about her first visit to see Santa Claus. When I took her out of the pram to sit her on his knee, I was told, 'No,we can't do that anymore due to health and safety reasons.

"I was quite taken aback. If I, as a parent, am happy to allow Santa to hold her than what's the problem? I remember sitting on Father Christmas' knee as a little girl, and it seems such a shame my daughter won't get to do the same because of bizarre health and safety rules."

Beatties is run by House of Fraser, which today said the policy was not rolled out across the company's 60 shops. It said the Victoria Street store had drawn up its policy in accordance with the Safe Network recommendations.

Fergus Wylie, House of Fraser spokesman, said: "It is purely an individual decision made by the Wolverhampton store and it is made purely for safety reasons. Each store that runs a grotto makes its own decision on how it should be run."

At most grottos across the Midlands, stools and seats are provided next to Father Christmas for children to sit on.

But most agree children can sit on his lap if they want to and it is agreed by parents. Dudley Zoo's popular Santa's grotto does allow children to sit on Father Christmas' lap on request.

Jill Hitchman, head of media and communications, said: "If parents wish their youngsters to sit on Santa's lap they can do so by request, this is particularly popular with toddlers and babies where mums and dads ask Father Christmas to hold their offspring for a photo opportunity."

Severn Valley Railway said children can sit on Santa's lap at their grotto, while Jason Maclean from the Forestry Commission, which is in charge of the grotto at Cannock Chase, said they can if they are with parents and it is agreed.

At Westfield Merry Hill in Dudley, bosses said there was 'no official policy'.

Kelly Reed, senior marketing manager, said: "However, our grotto is set up to provide a stool next to Santa to have a picture taken.

"We are happy to accommodate requests to sit on his knee providing the child is of an appropriate age and size to do so."

Is it health and safety gone mad? Or a sensible decision? Have your say in the comments section:

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