HSA helping kids make ‘wiser choices in a wider world’
CHILDREN from three local national schools recently took part in a multi-agency ‘Keep Safe’ information day held at the Mallow Youth Centre.
The aim of the event, held under the auspices of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), was aimed at encouraging young people to make “wiser choices in a wider world.”
Based on the hugely successful ‘Bee Safe’ initiative that has been running in Northern Ireland since 1990, it brings 5th and 6th class pupils together with representatives from local agencies and organisations responsible for safety within local communities.
Directly linked to the Social, Personal, Health and Education (SPHE) aspect of the primary curriculum, the initiative is also aimed at helping children deal with the all too often daunting prospect of leaving national school and progressing onto second level.
The Mallow event saw more than 100 children from Mallow Convent Primary School, St Patrick’s NS and Scoil Ghobnatan take part in a series of interactive scenarios with members of the emergency services, bodies including the ESB, Irish Water, the Construction Industry Federation and Bus Eireann.
HSA inspector John Hennigan said the initiative has proven to be a very successful way of teaching children a series of practical and social life lessons.
“The overarching aim of the day was to educate children about behaviour and attitudes in order to stay safe, improve their understanding of everyday situations where accidents are likely to occur, learn how to recognise hazards and encourage them to take responsibility for their own actions,” said Mr Hennigan.
The various scenarios played out at the event included demonstrations on safety issues round fire, electricity, water and roads as well as personal and home safety and risk management.
“Just as importantly, the event is about fostering good citizenship among young people, something they can then carry with them throughout their adult lives,” said Mr Hennigan.
“All of the local agencies that participated in the event pooled their collective knowledge and resources for the benefit of the local community and that is to be welcomed and encouraged,” he added.