Help keep your Children Safe this Spring
With Spring now upon us GMFRS are raising awareness and warning parents and guardians to the common dangers faced by young children on the run up to the summer months. Each year we attend an increased number of incidents involving young children, sadly quite often these incidents end in tragedy. Adventurous children often place themselves in danger without realising the potential consequences. Please follow the simple guidance below;
- FIRES - Keep matches and lighters away from
children. As the weather improves and the things start dry out
children setting fire to rubbish and grass can result in fire crews
attending minor incidents that not only damage the natural and
local environment, but potentially delay fire crews in attending
more serious life threatening fires.
- WATER AWARENESS - Make sure your children are
aware of the dangers of swimming in canals, ponds and rivers. The
temperature of inland water does not vary much throughout the year.
The water in Britain is still very cold in the spring and summer
people can quickly become affected by the cold putting themselves
into difficulties, tragically too many children drown every year.
Swimming should always be confined to a supervised pool with life
guards.
- DANGEROUS BUILDINGS - Children climbing onto
factory roofs and other buildings put themselves in great danger;
all too often this results in the fire service attending a fatal
incident to assist paramedics in gaining access to buildings where
children have fallen through the roof.
- MALICIOUS CALLS - Know where your children are
this Spring - Hoax calls tend to increase during the spring and
summer months, remember hoax calls cost lives! A fire engine cannot
be in two places at one time. If we are responding to a hoax call
it means we may be delayed in responding to a life threatening
emergency.
- BARBEQUE and PATIO HEATER SAFETY - Keep
children well away from barbeques and patio heaters, there have
been instances when children, whilst playing, have run into
barbeques and heaters and suffered burns. NEVER use petrol to help
light a barbecue.
- ROAD SAFETY -The age group most at 'Risk' of being involved in an accident are children aged between 5 -14 years of age, with the highest casualty rates occurring with children aged 12. As a minimum please ensure your children know how to cross the road safely, have taken a cycling proficiency course and always wear a seat belt when travelling in a car. ALL cyclists should wear a properly fitted cycle helmet.
Take 7 Steps Out - Protect Children from Second Hand smoke
'our organisation' is supporting a campaign hosted by Tameside Tobacco Alliance to remind parents and families to protect children and young people from preventable illnesses caused by cigarette smoke. Whilst we have smoke free workplaces, it is a reminder to create a smoke free environment at home too. FIND OUT ABOUT THE TAKE 7 STEPS OUT CAMPAIGN >>
