Children who visit parks regularly from birth to the age of 11 tend to have better mental health and social skills than those who visit less frequently, according to a new study published in the journal Epidemiology and Community Health.

Researchers found that children taken to a park at least once a week throughout this period scored an average of 16.5% higher in assessments of social-emotional development than those who visited less than once a week. The association remained significant after researchers accounted for factors including family circumstances and socioeconomic status.

The study involved 4,219 participants and examined social-emotional development, which includes the ability to manage emotions, form relationships, behave appropriately and deal with everyday challenges. These skills are considered an important foundation for mental health during childhood and later life.

Lead researcher Mark Ferguson of the University of Exeter said parks provide children with opportunities for physical activity and imaginative play, helping them develop confidence and independence.

“Parks give children space to be physically active, which is known to support mental and physical health, as well as helping adventurous and imaginative play to build confidence and independence,” Ferguson said.

He added that parks should be viewed as more than recreational spaces, describing them as an important resource for children’s healthy development.

The researchers found that children generally showed better social-emotional development during periods when they visited parks more frequently. Those with more regular visits across childhood also tended to have stronger outcomes than children who went less often.

The association covered several areas of behaviour. More frequent park visits were linked to improvements in internalising problems, including emotional symptoms and difficulties with peers. They were also associated with fewer externalising behaviours, such as conduct problems, hyperactivity and inattention.

Access to green spaces matters

The study also examined differences in park use across family backgrounds. Children living in more advantaged areas appeared to visit parks more frequently at younger ages, while those from less advantaged families tended to increase their visits as they grew older.

The findings suggest that accessible parks and playgrounds could help reduce inequalities in children’s development by providing opportunities for play and physical activity regardless of household income.

However, the researchers stressed that simply having parks nearby may not be enough. Their benefits depend on whether families can use them safely and comfortably.

Ferguson said communities needed good-quality green spaces that were safe, accessible and welcoming to families from different backgrounds.

Because parks are generally free to enter, they may also have what researchers describe as an “equigenic effect”. This refers to the ability of certain environments, including green spaces, to help narrow differences in health and wellbeing between socioeconomic groups.

The study highlights the potential role of public parks in supporting children’s development, while pointing to the importance of ensuring that all families have access to suitable outdoor spaces.

Falls remain a major health risk for older adults, but many people are unaware that factors such as anxiety, hearing loss and an urgent need to use the bathroom can increase the likelihood of an accident, according to a new survey by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

The survey of 1,007 adults in the United States found that 63 per cent did not recognise fear or anxiety about falling as a risk factor. Another 60 per cent were unaware of the connection with hearing loss, while 74 per cent did not know that needing to reach a bathroom quickly could increase the chance of a fall.

Michelle Easley, a nurse practitioner at the medical centre’s Fall Prevention Clinic, said a previous fall was the strongest warning sign of another accident. She added that fear could make the problem worse by discouraging people from staying active, weakening their muscles and reducing mobility.

Ben Melancon, a former athlete now in his 70s, experienced this cycle after falling down stairs more than a dozen times. His final accident left him with an injury near his left eye that required nine stitches.

He said he had become extremely afraid of using the stairs. However, after attending a fall prevention programme, he regained his confidence and has not fallen since completing treatment.

The problem extends across Europe, where falls contribute to hospital admissions, disability and premature deaths among older people.

A factsheet from the European Association for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, known as EuroSafe, estimated that approximately 35,848 people aged 65 and over died from falls annually across the European Union, based on figures from 2010 to 2012.

Falls accounted for 58 per cent of injury-related emergency department visits among older people. Almost half of these attendances involved fractures, while around one in five involved head injuries.

The likelihood of hospital admission also increased with age. The factsheet estimated that 32 per cent of fall-related injuries among people aged 65 to 74 required hospital treatment. The proportion rose to 39 per cent among those aged 75 to 84 and 45 per cent among people aged 85 and older.

Falls are often caused by several factors acting together. These include poor balance, reduced muscle strength, impaired vision or hearing, chronic health conditions and medicines that can cause dizziness. Inadequate footwear and unsafe surroundings can also contribute.

The home is a particularly important setting for prevention, with EuroSafe estimating that 64 per cent of fall-related injuries occur there. Living rooms and bedrooms account for more than half of injuries inside homes, followed by bathrooms and stairs.

Specialists recommend strength and balance exercises, individual risk assessments, medication reviews and improvements to household safety. Removing loose rugs, improving lighting and installing suitable bathroom and stair supports can reduce hazards without restricting independence.

Melancon attended the Ohio State clinic several times a week for four months, working with a physical therapist and continuing exercises at home. He also switched to supportive athletic shoes.

He said he was no longer afraid of using stairs and encouraged other older people to seek help rather than allow fear to limit their daily activities.

Fireworks remain a popular feature of public celebrations, but health experts are calling for tighter regulations and greater public awareness as thousands of people suffer injuries each year.

In an opinion article published in the medical journal The BMJ, researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), warned that the dangers of fireworks are often underestimated and represent a significant public health concern.

Common injuries include severe burns, blast damage caused by shockwaves, traumatic brain injuries, amputated fingers and permanent loss of sight. Children, young men, rural communities and people from lower-income backgrounds are among those at greater risk. Bystanders can also be injured without handling fireworks themselves.

The authors are urging governments and health organisations in the United States and elsewhere to strengthen safety rules and invest in public education.

They recommend encouraging people to attend professionally organised displays rather than setting off fireworks at home. Medical and public health organisations could also challenge social media content that promotes private fireworks use.

The researchers propose school-based awareness campaigns for primary and secondary pupils, using real-life accounts and images of people injured by fireworks. They also suggest placing graphic injury warnings on packaging, similar to health warnings on cigarette packets.

Thousands seek medical treatment across Europe

Available figures highlight the scale of the problem, although many European countries do not maintain national records of firework-related injuries.

The Netherlands systematically collects data on incidents. During the 2025-2026 New Year celebrations, an estimated 1,239 people received emergency medical treatment at hospital emergency departments or out-of-hours general care services. This was 7% higher than the previous year.

Italy’s Ministry of the Interior reported 283 injuries during New Year’s Eve celebrations, including 54 people who required hospital treatment.

Healthcare professionals say more countries need systematic reporting systems to establish the full extent of the injuries and identify where prevention measures are most needed.

Fireworks imports continue to grow

The health concerns come as the European fireworks market expands. Eurostat data published in December 2025 showed that the EU imported 120,000 tonnes of fireworks from outside the bloc in 2024, worth €406.7 million. Import volumes increased by 9.5% and their value by 21.5% compared with 2023.

A separate European Commission working document put the value of EU pyrotechnic imports at a record €452 million in 2024. The Netherlands accounted for 37% of extra-EU imports, followed by Germany at 35.6% and Poland at 7.4%.

Different rules across member states

EU legislation sets common safety requirements and divides consumer fireworks into four categories according to their hazard and intended use. Member states can impose stricter national restrictions on their sale, possession and use.

Minimum ages vary by category. Very low-hazard products, including some sparklers and party poppers, can generally be used from age 12, while certain low-hazard outdoor fireworks have higher age limits. Medium-hazard products intended for large open spaces carry a minimum age of 18 and require specialist knowledge.

Countries including the Netherlands, Germany, France and Italy have adopted additional restrictions, reflecting different national approaches to fireworks safety.