Fire safety competition for local schools (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Fire safety competition for local schools

7:40pm Tuesday 31st August 2010 in

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PRIMARY schools in the Bridgwater area are being encouraged to take part in an upcoming fire safety campaign. The Fire Fighters Charity and the Communities and Local Government’s Fire Kills Campaign want people to get involved with National Schools’ Fire Safety Week, which runs from October 4-8.

The slogan for this year’s event is “Matches and Lighters – Tools not Toys”, which is designed to teach children about the dangers of fire but also to provide fire safety advice and tips to parents. Almost 1,150 fires are started deliberately in the South-West each year by people under 18 using ignition tools, such as matches and lighters.

National statistics also show a significant rise in fires during the school holidays.

Alongside the campaign, the charity is launching a creative competition for children aged five to seven, which involves completing a short poem containing a vital fire safety message.

Individual and class entries can both be accepted and the winner and his/her class will receive a Neenaw Fire Fighter Experience Day, along with £300 worth of sports vouchers for their school.

Alison White, from The Fire Fighters Charity, said: “Between 2007 and 2008, 16 children under the age of 11 were killed in fires in the UK, and a further 1,300 were injured in house fires.

“This fun and educational competition aims to teach children the key messages relating to matches and lighters – tools not toys, but also acts as a reminder to all parents to keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.”

The Fire Fighters Charity is urging all primary school teachers to take part in National Schools’ Fire Safety Week, and encourages parents and teachers to visit a dedicated website for details of the competition activities and resource sheets.

Click on the related link to find out more.