Washington, Nov 12: Kids in the UK are being prevented from leading a healthy and hearty life by health and safety ‘extremists’, warned the head of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

RoSPA said that not allowing kids to take part in activities which could lead to a twisted ankle or cut knee, and virtually wrapping them in cotton wool was more harmful than beneficial to them.

Tom Mullarkey, the head of RoSPA, accused "small-minded bureaucrats", of undermining genuine health and safety work.

"People have this perception of 'elf and safety' as something that restricts your life, rather than helping you to live fully and successfully, " the Telegraph quoted him, as saying.

"We do not believe in extremist health and safety ideas which would keep children wrapped in cotton wool.

"Our argument is that a skinned knee or a twisted ankle in a challenging and exciting play environment is not just acceptable, it is a positive necessity.

"We need to prepare children for a complex, dangerous world in which healthy, robust activity is more a national need than ever before.

"We think people should climb mountains, and sail boats - we are trying to help them in a practical way. "

He further said that health and safety were too often used as a cover for cost cutting.

"I heard that a swimming pool would be closed for 'health and safety reasons' but it was because the roof was falling in, and they did not have the money to fix it. " (ANI)