An innovative scheme that promotes safety messages to Primary School children takes place at the Castle Park Centre, Lisnaskea next week, when over 500 P 7 children across Fermanagh will attend the 'Bee Safe' initiative
The initiative (which runs between 21 –25 January) has been funded by Fermanagh District Policing Partnership and is co-ordinated by the Health Promotion Department of the Western Health and Social Care Trust in partnership with Fermanagh District Council, the PSNI, DoE Road Safety Department, Northern Ireland Electricity, NI Fire and Rescue Service and the British Red Cross.
It is part of 'Bee Safe NI,' an umbrella group of similar initiatives across the province.
Councillor Bert Johnston, the Chairman of Fermanagh DPP commented: "This initiative has been widely supported in the past and provides an innovative and interactive way to alert children to some of the dangers of everyday life. Fermanagh DPP is delighted to support this programme".
'Bee Safe' is an imaginative way of teaching Primary 7 pupils how to prevent every day accidents and dangerous situations, and how to deal with them safely and effectively should they occur. Children move around a series of 'Accident' themed scenarios in small groups over either a morning or afternoon session.
The sessions are designed to promote a high level of interaction and involvement from pupils.
"Participation in stimulated scenarios in a controlled environment', the spokesperson explained, "helps children to think for themselves and develop practical experience of preventing and coping with potentially hazardous situations as opposed to simply being taught in a classroom about managing risk".
Councillor Johnston said injuries to children were particularly distressing, and preventing them was no easy task.
"Training, education and adult supervision helps. Government agencies, district councils and the police service all have a role to play in creating the conditions for a safe environment for our young people", he added, " but the whole community also has a responsibility to teach children of all ages the basic, appropriate skills".
