Safety First!...Vital Lessons For Godalming Kids

School children from around the Godalming area are set to get lessons in safety as part of a new  campaign.

The initiative entitled Junior Citizen 2010 aims to help teach children about the dangers surrounding them in their everyday lives. It's done in a safe environment with the help of professional people who have seen these dangers at first hand.

Around 1,400 children from 31 schools are expected to take part in the event that runs until September 24.Pupils from schools taking part include those from Godalming Junior School, Chandler C of E School at Witley, Barrow Hills, St. Hilary's Prepatory School, and Losely Fields Primary.

Topics being covered will be:

· Fire safety

· Stranger danger

· Cycle safety

· First Aid presented by St John Ambulance

· Internet safety

· Water safety thanks to volunteers from the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI)

· Using the 999 service

· Alcohol awareness

· Rail safety with data provided by Network Rail

The young people see demonstrations from a wide range of experts including people who have fought fires, rescued people in dangerous waters and tackled crime.

Junior Citizen 2010 is supported by the Safer Waverley Partnership, Waverley Borough Council, Surrey Police, Godalming Town Council, Surrey County Council, RNLI volunteers, St John Ambulance and Surrey Fire & Rescue Service.

Cllr Carole King, Waverley Borough Council’s councillor responsible for community safety, said: "Waverley Junior Citizen events help teach children about the dangers surrounding them in their everyday lives. It’s done in a safe environment with the help of professional people who have seen these dangers at first hand.

"The young people know that the demonstrations they see, and the information explained to them, is coming from people who have fought fires, rescued people in dangerous waters and tackled crime and this plays a big part in their remembering the important lesions taught at Waverley Junior Citizen each year."

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service’s Education Manager, Mark Taylor, added: "We are delighted to be part of this important partnership that helps children to stay safe as well as to learn about their rights and responsibilities as citizens.

"Our education officers dedicate up to 24 weeks every year to Junior Citizens at events across the county, enabling us to teach more than 10,000 children vital fire safety knowledge and skills. Working with our partners at Junior Citizens forms an integral part of our fire safety education programme – to children aged three to 14 years – and makes a significant contribution to making Surrey children safe."

Cllr Pat Frost, Chairman of Surrey County Council's Waverley Local Committee, added: "It is encouraging that all our organisations are working together to offer an enjoyable experience to so many young people which will help them understand the risks which face them."