Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 17/06/2010 13:18

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service has joined forces with Council colleagues from the Flashpoint Lifeskills Centre, trading standards, road safety and building control to stage four days of safety events on 14 and 18 June for primary school children in the St Austell area.

Children from 26 primary schools will take part in a variety of fun activities which will give serious practical advice on how to recognise and deal safely with a variety of hazards in simulated ‘real life’ situations.

With sessions to be held over five days on 14 to 18 June, the Lifeskills Event at St Austell Community Fire Station will also bring together representatives from the police and ambulance services, Western Power Distribution and the coastguard.

Almost 900 10 year olds from 26 primary schools are expected to take part as they are encouraged to spot potential hazards in a kitchen; be aware of road safety with special emphasis on wearing protective clothing when out cycling; recognise the dangers of building sites and what warning signs mean; the hazard of fishing or kite flying near power lines; the laws relating to drugs and alcohol and the importance of knowing what to do in the event of a fire.

Chief Fire Officer Des Tidbury comments: “I am delighted that colleagues from so many council departments and partner organisations got involved in this initiative. We are all working together to spread the community message – not just community safety but community values and cohesion.”

Cornwall Council cabinet member for stronger communities Lance Kennedy said: “Initiatives like this not only encourage children to come to a fire station and see how it all works at first hand but provides a valuable example of how, when services and organisations work together, individuals can learn important safety lessons which benefit the community as a whole.”

Year 9 pupils from Poltair School will act as mentors to the younger children and all the children who take part will receive a special certificate.