Ref: PR2194
Date: 21/04/09

Pupils from eight schools in the Wakefield district are being taught how to stay safe at special sessions where they will train as Safety Rangers at Pontefract Fire Station.

Around 400 children will take part in a week of activities to teach them about road safety, railway safety, drugs and ad alcohol awareness, what to do if they witness an abduction and how and when to call 999.

The activities are designed so the children learn important lessons about risk and managing safety in a fun and interactive way.

Wakefield Council is working with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, Jarvis/Network Rail and health visitors from Wakefield District Primary Care Trust as part of the Child Accident Prevention Partnership.

The Safety Rangers will meet at Pontefract fire station during the week of April 27. The week is part of a regular programme of safety events organised by the Council and its partners.

Schools taking part are West End Primary, Carlton J and I, Oyster Park Junior, Park Junior, Airedale Junior, Fitzwilliam Primary, Ash Grove J and I and Streethouse J and I. They will be joined on the morning of April 30 by Cllr Pat Garbutt, the Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, and on the afternoon of April 30 by local ward councillor, Cllr Tony Wallis.

Cllr Garbutt said: "We want to do all we can to make children aware of the dangers they face but also to equip them to do something about it so they can take responsibility for both their own safety and the safety of others. These are fun sessions but with a serious message and I look forward to joining in."

After the event the pupils will be given a certificate and goodie bag and schools will be given workbooks to help continue safety awareness in the classroom.

Ends