Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 10/10/2011 14:08

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service has joined forces with council colleagues from trading standards, road safety and building control to stage three days of safety events held on 5 – 7 October for primary school children in the Truro area.

The Lifeskills event at Truro Community Fire Station brought together representatives from the Police, First Group Bus Company, Western Power Distribution and Shelterbox

Children from 16 primary schools took part in a variety of fun activities which gave serious practical advice on how to recognise and deal safely with a variety of hazards in simulated ‘real life’ situations.

Over 370 nine and ten year olds from 16 primary schools took part as they were 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, internet safety 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 areas of the council, and partner organisations are 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 community safety 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 provide a valuable example of how, when services and organisations work together, individuals can learn important safety lessons which benefit the community as a whole.”

All the children who took part received a special certificate.