Children learn vital lifesaving and safety skills

Thousands of 10 and 11 year-olds from across Plymouth are learning vital skills that will help them stay safe and potentially save lives.

The Junior Life Skills event, organised by the Council’s Education, Learning and Family Support team and hosted by the Royal Navy at its Sports and Recreation Ground in Bull Point, promotes personal and community safety through practical and interactive demonstrations and activities.

Around 2,200 children from schools across Plymouth will be taking part in the three-week event, which is held just before the summer holidays and the big move from primary school up into secondary education.

It teaches children important things such as how to respond to a chip fire, what can happen if you trespass on the railway, how to stay safe in the sea and on the beach, how to travel safely on public transport, how to stay safe on the roads and how to provide first aid.

Councillor Nicky Williams, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “The Junior Life Skills event is a really powerful way to bring important safety messages home to children as their curiosity and need for independence grows.

"By showing them everyday hazards at first hand – and how to deal with them if necessary – we hope to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries and help young people stay safe into their adult lives.

"We’d like to thank all the organisations involved in staging this event for their support.”

Partners offering their time and expertise this year include Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Devon and Cornwall Police, the RNLI, the Royal Navy bomb disposal team, the Council’s road safety team and play officer, the Office of Rail Regulations, the British Red Cross, Plymouth Citybus and Western Power.

The Junior Life Skills event is now in its seventh year and is running from Monday 10 to Friday 28 June.