17 June 2008
Can you make the safe choice?
Over 680 children from 22 Wealden primary schools will be trying to make the safe choice at this year's Safety in Action event at Herstmonceux Castle.
This annual event organised by Wealden District Council is designed to test and improve young people's knowledge through a range of mock, but potentially dangerous, situations. Safety in Action takes place from June 23 to June 27, 2008.
"Each year, Safety in Action week gives hundreds of local children the chance to see how they would react in an emergency and how to avoid dangerous situations," said Councillor Ron Cussons, Cabinet Member for Community. "The mock-ups and interactive tests are a safe and controlled way to build up their knowledge and experience of hazards whether they're on a farm, a beach, crossing a road or near a railway. Some of the scenarios are reminders, but all the children are guaranteed to learn something new, and since it's 'hands-on', test how safely they can respond.
"The real strength of Safety in Action is the comprehensive way it covers a range of real-life scenarios, thanks to the large number of organisations that are enthusiastic about taking part."
New to the range of scenarios this year is the Safe Choice Shop, run by East Sussex Trading Standards, where the 10 and 11 year old pupils will have to decide which items are safe and legal to purchase. The children, some of whom will shortly be moving to secondary school, also look at alcohol issues in an activity run by school nurses.
Other participating organisations and scenarios include:
Sussex Police – strangers and road safety
Sussex Ambulance –treatment of a casualty
Sussex Fire and Rescue Service – featuring fire setting
EDF Energy – electrical safety
Wealden animal welfare – stray dogs and aggressive dogs
Coastguard Agency – beach safety
Each child will receive a participation certificate and a safety book. EDF Energy has sponsored the £150 prize for the winning school, and Servomex, Crowborough, has donated £150 for the Lawrence Reeve Memorial Trophy which will be presented to the school achieving the highest marks in the road safety scenario.
The Safer Wealden Partnership has provided a new telephone box, marquee and signage for the event.
