Students enter virtual world of electrical danger
Teenagers in Livingston are being encouraged to enter a virtual world of electrical hazards as part of a new safety initiative.
With the help of virtual reality (VR) helmets, students from West Lothian College will be faced with a home full of potential dangers in a bid to increase their awareness of the risks posed by electrical appliances.
On Friday, the college is hosting a session run by Flosverse Techsphere to showcase a brand new VR experience which allows users to walk around a house and test their knowledge on whether its appliances are being used safely.
Supported by funding from national campaigning charity Electrical Safety First, the initiative aims to engage students with technology they enjoy using to enhance their understanding of safe practices and fill a gap in existing in safety education.
Florence Aluu, director of Flosverse Techsphere, said: “Electrical accidents involving children are a common safety concern in households. Traditional methods of teaching electrical safety, such as lectures or pamphlets, often fail to engage children.
“Virtual reality (VR) has been increasingly recognised for its effectiveness in educational contexts, especially among younger audiences. It offers a unique opportunity to create immersive learning experiences that can improve knowledge retention and behaviour change.”
Support is provided by the Electrical Safety Fund which rovides £250,000 to support dozens of local community projects across the UK that aim to reduce domestic electrical risks. Around half of all domestic fires in the UK are caused by electricity, with most of those arising from electrical products.
Samuel Terry of Electrical Safety First said: “Electrical safety risks have been exacerbated in recent years by several wider factors, including the cost-of-living crisis, rocketing inflation, and rising energy prices.
“We are delighted to be funding projects that seek to keep people safe in their homes.”
Half of all domestic fires in the UK are caused by electricity