SAFETY Spring 2007 ISSN 0459-2034 Education

Contents

Inside this issue...

News 2 Road deaths down

Seatbelts 4 Children’s campaign

Fashion 5 Notts focus Managing Editor Janice Cave Editorial Consultant Dot com 6 Jim Barrow New websites Occupational Safety Adviser Roger Bibbings Risk Education Adviser A bit of a risk 8 Jenny McWhirter Young perceptions © Published termly by RoSPA Enterprises Limited - a wholly owned subsidiary of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

Defying the critics 11 Opinions expressed and claims made Star children by individual contributors are not necessarily subscribed to by RoSPA. No responsibility can be accepted

Samaritans step in The Royal Society for the 12 Prevention of Accidents, Emotional health Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Birmingham B5 7ST. Alcohol 14 Telephone: 0121 248 2000 Targetting young adults Web site: www.rospa.com

RoSPA is a registered charity No. 207823 VAT registration No. 655 1316 49 New approach 15 The SMARTRISK way To advertise in Safety Education contact [email protected]

Printed by Folium Group Limited Mini motos 16 Minworth, West Midlands Buying a hazard Design and production thecheeseroomltd Telephone: 01827 50341 www.thecheeseroom.com www.editorialdesign.co.uk

SAFETY Education Spring 2007 1 News

I The drama of school travel

A dramatic theatre produc- Lancashire. When we previ- Polly is also late for school be a journey which changes tion returned to Lancashire as ously held these theatre because she is waiting for her his life forever. part of a scheme encouraging events, they proved to be Dad who is still in his pyja- The production is aimed at more children to walk and very successful and popular mas! On their journey to junior school-aged children cycle to school. with pupils. school Dad is introduced to and lasts approximately 40 During October, 21 schools “Live theatre in schools can road safety, to alternative minutes, followed by a 30 across the county experienced help us to put across impor- transport and even manages minute workshop for a selec- a performance of Car Story, an tant messages in a really ex- to fall in love. It turns out to tion of the older children. interactive drama which brings citing and dynamic way. In safety and sustainability mes- Car Story, children are en- sages dramatically to life. couraged to think about the This lively production, per- benefits of walking and cy- I Jenny is RoSPA’s formed by London based the- cling to school as an alterna- atre group Box Clever, was tive to being brought by car. touring this autumn thanks to “The performance is de- new risk adviser Lancashire County Council’s signed to complement the school travel plan team, who work of school travel plans, Jenny McWhirter joined have funded and organised which many schools have al- RoSPA in September 2006 as the programme. ready put in place. Developing risk education adviser after a The production is a fun and a school travel plan helps long association with interactive way of encour- pupils to consider how jour- RoSPA’s safety education aging children to question neys to and from school can committee. Jenny has experi- how they travel to school and be made safer and more sus- ence in research with young looks at the plus points of tainable. Government targets people about health issues. sustainable travel options, suggest that by 2010, all This includes several studies such as walking, cycling and schools should have their for RoSPA on children’s un- using public transport. own travel plan.” derstanding of risk. Dorothy Crane, from the Car Story is set in a busy Prior to joining RoSPA school travel plan team, said: house in a typical English Jenny was head of Education “We are pleased to be wel- town. It is a weekday morn- and prevention at Drug- coming Car Story back to ing and Dad is late for work. Scope. She also ran the MSc in Health Education with Health Promotion at the University of Southampton. Jenny’s new role at RoSPA is I London to raise the profile of risk education by influencing policy makers and practitioners. Her roads safer first task has been to meet and introduce herself to key London’s roads have become stakeholders and committee safer for children according to members. figures released by Transport "In the long term I want to for London. see teachers and youth work- The number of children ers being more comfortable killed and seriously injured with the concept of risk, and on London’s roads has fallen able to teach it more confi- from an average of 935 a year dently. This means influenc- in the mid/late 1990s to 355 in ing a wide range of policy 2005, a 62 per cent reduction. makers, including the Dep- The Government set a artment for Education and target of reducing the Skills (DfES), Department of number of people killed or Health, Ofsted the Qualific- seriously injured by 40 per ation and Curriculum Auth- cent compared with the 1994- ority (QCA) and the Teacher 98 average by 2010, with a 50 Development Agency," she per cent target for children. says. The Mayor of London recent- Jenny is working part time ly increased the target in for RoSPA so the best way to London to 50 per cent for contact her is via e-mail: KSIs and 60 per cent for child [email protected] KSIs, which has already been met four years early.

2 SAFETY Education Spring 2007 News

I New I Cycling winners in Gwent

This year’s Gwent Safe thorities as well as parents comprised of Liam White, guide for Cycling Championship final and supporters were watch- Emma Hughes, Alice Shaw in Cwmbran was again a ing. and Sophie Shaw. Cllr Allen great success. The overall winning school Williams, the deputy Mayor employers Seventy one children from team was The Bryn School, of Caerphilly, presented the all over Gwent, who had all Pontllanfraith, whose team team trophy. earned the right to As part of European Health take part by win- and Safety Week in October, ning regional com- EEF, the manufacturers’ or- petitions. The ganisation, the Department Mayors or Chair- for Education and Skills, and men of the five Caterpillar launched a new participating au- guide for employers who host site visits for schools and other educational estab- lishments. The guide, available to all employers at www.safevis- its.org.uk, sets out the practical information needed to run site visits safely. It also offers printable check-lists to help with the planning process. Site visits are beneficial to both companies and to students. Employers can identify and sponsor young talent and be role models for students, while young people I Fund raising walk next May get a more hands-on approach to learning and gain Every primary school and all at the same time, with the istration, with details on insights into industry which special needs school in the aim of getting in the record www.walk2live.org. cannot be learned in the UK is being asked to adopt a books, while raising £2 mil- Author Geoff Blore, who is classroom. However, evi- healthy fund raising idea lion for their schools and behind the huge operation, dence suggests that some tried out in hundreds of good causes. said schools which took part companies are put off be- schools this year. This year many schools in the full-size operation this cause of health and safety re- Organisers of Walk2Live raised up to £2,000 each, to year enjoyed a fun day of quirements, an issue the say some 24,000 schools and put towards projects such as healthy walking, while pro- guide is designed to over- 350,000 children are expected IT rooms, help for old folks viding funds for new facilities come in a practical manner. to sign up for the walk-in next homes and donations to na- at their schools and much- EEF health and safety ad- May - after raising £100,000 tional charities. needed cash for a huge num- viser Louise Ward said: this year in a full-scale trial Each school taking part in ber of charities. “Health and safety should not run. Walk2Live pays just £10 regis- He said: “While all schools be a barrier to educational The schools will do a walk tration to help towards admin- should be fully funded by the visits in the majority of sec- Government the reality is that tors. Our website is designed they do not have the money to guide companies through for some of today’s essen- a planning and risk manage- tials, such as IT rooms, extra ment process which will help library books and additional to ensure that both employ- playground equipment.” ers and students benefit from Walk2Live is promoting a engagement” healthy lifestyle through the Further information on simple, life-giving act of walk- European Health and Safety ing, while raising money for Week is available at vital equipment for schools www.hse.gov.uk/cam- and charities. paigns/euroweek/index.htm. More details of the huge walk-in are on the website at www.walk2live.org.

SAFETY Education Spring 2007 3 News

I ‘Mummy, belt us in, it’s the law!’

The children of Sissinghurst than 100,000 child height Manning, explained why the strapped in can save a life- Primary School near Cranbrook charts to primary schools change in law will help pro- time of agony.” showed their support for new around the county. The chart tect children. “Too many par- “This is not just a matter of child seat laws by holding a mini includes vital information on ents are risking the safety of informing and enforcing a demonstration in their play- the new law that answers any their children by using incor- new piece of Government ground. questions parents and rect child restraints or – in legislation,” Mr Manning con- Under the new law, every guardians may have about some cases – none at all. tinued, “but making every child under 135cm is legally the change in legislation. Some may feel that they are parent aware of the dangers required to use an appropriate Large posters explaining the in too much of a rush to en- of not using the correct child child seat or booster cushion for new regulations are also sure their children are proper- safety seat for their child. their age and height. being displayed at the gates ly restrained, or are con- Even on the shortest of trips, The demonstration was or- of primary schools around cerned at the expense of in- by not restraining your child ganised by Kent County the county. stalling correct child seat. A with the correct seat restraint, Council’s road safety team to Kent County Council lead minute or two spent making you are putting their life at promote the correct use of member for highways, Roger sure children are securely risk.” seatbelts and child car seat restraints. The children wore matching t-shirts and marched around the playground while chanting “Belt us in, it’s the law!”, stomping their feet and waving placards with messages such as “Mummy, I’m no crash test dummy.” KCC is distributing more I Korea visits RoSPA Safety campaigners in South Korea are forging links with RoSPA in a bid to reduce accidents throughout their country. A delegation from the Korean Association for Safe Communities spent three days on a fact-finding mis- sion at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents’ Birmingham base. They were particularly keen to hear how RoSPA sets stan- dards for play safety in the UK and abroad. Errol Taylor, RoSPA’s Deputy Chief Executive, said “The delegation was impressed by our innovative approach to play safety – ‘play areas should be as safe as necessary, not as safe as possible’ – and by our awards scheme to recognise the play operators who provide real value and service.

4 SAFETY Education Spring 2007 Conspicuity

Notts fashion show School children from Jesse Gray Primary School in Nottinghamshire teamed up with Nottinghamshire County Council and BrightKidz to put on a fashion show and demonstrate the ways children can 'Be Safe and Seen' in flu- orescent and reflective cloth- ing. The aim was to highlight that children are vulnerable if they do not dress safely and remind young people about the importance of wearing The aim was to highlight that children are vulnerable if they do not dress safely bright clothes in the day and reflective clothes at night. It also aimed to help children see the fun and stylish ways of being safe and seen. Liz Rickards, principal offi- cer for road and community safety with Nottinghamshire County Council said, "As the clocks go back and the nights get darker, it's easy to forget that car drivers find it much harder to see you when More cats’ eyes for kids you're out and about. No matter what age you are, being safe on the roads is re- Nationwide Building Society extend the Cats’ Eyes for Kids dents in 2005 fell by 49 per ally important - so make sure has announced it is to extend campaign to 2010 it is hoped cent when compared to the that you 'think' before going its child road safety cam- the programme’s outstanding baseline average 1994-1998. near roads at all times. I paign to 2010.The society will success will continue and so This means that the Gov- would also encourage drivers distribute one million pedes- help to keep children safer in ernment has nearly achieved to ensure that they use their trian safety reflectors, known the dark winter months. its target, announced in the lights when it's dark or when as “Cats’ Eyes”, per year to Nationwide’s campaign, year 2000, of reducing the the weather is poor so that every new intake of Year number of children killed other road users can see One primary school chil- Nationwide’s campaign or seriously injured on the them" dren in the country. roads by 50 per cent by As the clocks went involved distributing more the year 2010 (when com- back in October, millions than 11 million reflectors pared to the baseline av- of school children across erage). the UK began making their which has run since 2001 and To help increase children’s journeys home from school involved distributing more awareness and understand- in much darker conditions. than 11 million reflectors, ing of the importance of road With Nationwide’s pledge to supports the Government’s safety, Nationwide has also objective of reducing child produced curriculum-linked road casualties. A recent road safety worksheets which Government announcement are available via http:// revealed that the number of www.natiowide .co.uk to- child pedestrians killed or se- gether with links to other use- riously injured in road acci- ful road safety websites.

SAFETY Education Spring 2007 5 dot.com

RoSPA’s updated site www.youngworker.co.uk A website promoting the safe- icated to the occupational adult years, can be a lethal to play in establishing safe ty of young workers has been wellbeing of young people. combination - particularly when working practices among their revamped. RoSPA’s updated Figures published in Hazards they occur in the environments young workers and RoSPA runs site – www.youngworker.co.uk magazine in August showed of road or workplace. a training course for those re- - provides a useful online re- that more than 4,000 16-24year- “Figures show that a young sponsible for managing young source for employers (partic- olds are seriously injured at worker, aged between 16 and people at work. The Society also ularly those with fewer than work every year, 12 are killed 24, is seriously injured every offers organisation-specific risk 200 employees), work experi- and 15,000 are injured badly 40 minutes in the UK and one awareness courses for young ence organisers and young enough to be forced off work young person is killed at work workers themselves and consul- people aged 14-25 who are for more than three days. each month. We hope our tancy services. Young-worker involved in work experience Roger Bibbings, RoSPA oc- new look website will help safety will also be taken into or starting work for the first cupational safety adviser, said: cut these tragedies by in- consideration as part of the time. Other people interested “Accidents are a major cause creasing interest in health 2007 RoSPA Occupational in the health, safety and wel- of death and injury to our pop- and safety among the young Health and Safety Awards. fare of young people, including ulation and the greatest single and providing a valuable re- Visit www.hse.gov.uk/cam- parents and guardians, might threat to life for children and source for employers.” paigns/euroweek for more in- also find the site helpful. young people. A lack of expe- Supervisors have a key role formation on Safe Start. New content includes regu- rience together with risk-tak- larly updated links to young ing behaviour, especially dur- worker case studies, a facility ing the teenage and young enabling young people to submit their work experience stories, links to RoSPA products and resources related to work experience, and a tool enabling work experience organisers to test their skills and knowledge. Safe Start – the European Week for Safety and Health at Work, run by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work in October) - was ded-

ENA education pages www.energynetworks.org

Energy Networks Association, enter the energy industry as a for Key stages 3 and 4. Each the industry body for the career. The pages also carry section contains online activi- electricity and gas transmis- important safety messages ties for pupils and download- sion and distribution compa- from the very beginning. able worksheets. nies, has launched the first of “Gas and Electricity need to its online educational resources. be treated with respect and if ENA is working closely with we can teach youngsters teachers to ensure the re- from an early age about the sources meet the require- dangers as well as the advan- ments of teachers in deliver- tages, then hopefully as they ing the National Curriculum. grow up we will see less acci- The first stage of the proj- dents”; said Peter Coyle the ect has been to produce web ENA’s safety health and envi- pages providing resources ronment manager. for infant school children, Visit the new ENA educa- who are at Key Stage 1 and 2 tion pages at: http://www.en- of the National Curriculum. ergynetworks.org/spring/ed- Future plans include pro- ucation/ed01.asp and give viding resources for each your views and suggestions, stage of the National Curric- via the feedback form. The ulum and beyond with the next stage of the project will aim of encouraging people to see the addition of resources

6 SAFETY Education Spring 2007 dot.com

Fire safety awareness www.infoscotland.com/blazeaware A new website aimed at rais- Launching the website at ing children’s awareness of the Royal High Primary fire safety precautions has School in Edinburgh, where been launched. pupils have successfully test- The Blaze Aware website - ed the site, Deputy Justice part of the Scottish Minister Hugh Henry said Executive’s Don’t Give Fire a “Too many lives are lost each Home website - has been de- year because of fires in the veloped to support the home, many of which could Scottish Fire and Rescue have been avoided. In 2004 Services’ community educa- alone five children were killed tion programmes. and 176 injured in fires in The site includes a ‘hazard Scotland. That is why we are house’ game, which asks chil- determined to ensure every dren to work against the clock child has access to common to identify safety hazards sense advice on how to stay within three rooms of a safe. house - the bedroom, living “The Blaze Aware website room and kitchen. Children is designed to be a fun, cre- who identify all the hazards ative and interactive way of are rewarded with a ‘virtual getting the message across. token’. As they progress Children have an important through the site further to- role to play in keeping their kens can be collected and homes and families safe, printed off in the form of a whether by unplugging video certificate. games, appreciating the dangers of matches or simply by pestering adults to check smoke alarms. “There’s also valuable ad- Board said “We are delighted vice on what to do in the to have participated in the de- event of a fire, what to do if velopment of this website. It your clothes catch fire and is exciting that we have yet simple rules of fire safety another educational resource which are easy to learn. to share with teachers, par- “The website will also help ents and young people.” young people to grow into re- The Blaze Aware website is sponsible citizens by raising part of the Executive’s Don’t awareness of the conse- Give Fire a Home website, quences of hoax calls and created to help address tampering with fire hydrants. Scotland’s poor fire safety “Lothian and Borders Fire record. Service have made a valuable The site cost £36,000 to input to the development of develop and has been de- this resource and I hope that signed to help support exist- fire services across Scotland, ing school education pro- parents, teachers and young grammes and community people will all find it a useful youth work. tool in reducing fire deaths Lothian and Borders, recog- and injuries across the coun- nised as leaders in the provision try.” of fire safety advice in schools, Ken Harrold, convenor of provided advice throughout the the Lothian and Borders Fire design process. The website is divided into three parts: one part for four to seven year-old, one part for eight years and upwards and a section providing resources for parents, teachers and volunteers. Visit http://www.infoscotland. com/blazeaware

SAFETY Education Spring 2007 7 Risk

It’s a bit risky is this!

Since joining RoSPA as the new risk education adviser I We live in a ‘risk society’. Risk is everywhere have been told that professionals working with children and the implication is that risk should be and young people are in- avoided wherever and whenever possible, creasingly risk averse – sometimes out of concern for chil- says Jenny McWhirter dren’s safety or fear of litiga- tion or sometimes out of a misunderstanding of measures view of the world and are The first thing we learn highly probable. Other haz- to regulate and control risk therefore more vulnerable. from this research is that ards are associated with less Yet many professionals I The draw and write tech- young people (and many severe consequences and a meet are also concerned that nique starts where the chil- adults!) equate risk with dan- lower probability of harm and by trying to reduce or elimi- dren and young people are. It ger. They demonstrate this are at the opposite end of that nate risk from children’s lives asks what risk means to them with drawings of people their continuum. These risks are we are preventing them from and how they would manage own age teetering on the sometimes depicted in exam- learning their physical and the risk in that situation. As edge of high buildings, on ples of ‘misbehaviour’ – such emotional limits, even in well as revealing a different everyday situations. This, they aspect of risk from a child’s say, increases the chance of eye, it also provides a place accidents when young peo- for teachers and health pro- ple find themselves in new fessionals to start to plan and unfamiliar situations. how to develop relevant, in- In 1992 I wrote an article for teresting and appropriate les- Safety Education about how sons for the young people in children of primary school their care. age understand ‘keeping safe’. The article was inspired by ground-breaking work pio- How it works neered by Noreen Wetton and Explain to the groups that Trefor Williams at Southampton you are going to ask them to University using the ‘draw draw and write about some- and write technique’. Not thing which different people long after I wrote that article I describe in different ways. embarked on a series of stud- Ask them not to share their ies using the draw and write ideas with each other to technique to explore how begin with, so that you can all children and young people see how many different ways develop their understanding there are to think about this. of risk. Tell them they are going to There are many academic draw and write about what articles about how the public risk means to them. understands risk differently Ask them to draw someone to technicians and statisti- their own age doing some- cians. Developmental psy- thing risky. (It can be a stick chologists and sociologists person). Do not clarify what have also examined how chil- risky means, tell them to dren and young people per- draw what they think it ceive risk. means or write ‘I don’t know’. However, most of this work Ask them to write, under begins where the relevant ex- the picture, what is happen- cliff edges, falling from aero- as taking another biscuit pert is – sometimes with a list ing in the picture. planes or tightropes and when mum has told you not of hazards known to cause Ask them to write what bungee jumping. When asked to. The consequence from the harm to young people such makes this risky. what makes it risky some child’s point of view is of as roads and drugs, or with Finally ask them to return children write: “It’s risky be- being told off (perhaps not an expert understanding of to their drawing and draw cause it is dangerous.” very likely, or not too severe probability. These ‘deficit’ them selves in the scene. Danger is one end of a con- and so a risk worth taking). Of models seek to explain why What would they be doing or tinuum of risk, where the con- course the mother may per- children have an imperfect saying to help? sequence is both severe and ceive the risks rather differently

8 SAFETY Education Spring 2007 Risk

and may be more concerned patterns in the hazards with preventing her child they identify and the from becoming overweight, approaches to manag- or not having enough to last ing the risk. until the next shopping trip. For example, the fre- quency with which road hazards appear in the samples vary with age, peaking among 9- 13 year olds and again at age 16-18. The context dif- fers though – while the younger group depict cycle drugs or committing a crime. health education, not just in and pedestrian accidents, the In a survey of 6,000 11-18 injury prevention. This re- older group depict them- year olds in Essex schools search technique, used a selves as drivers or passen- only two young people would classroom activity can help gers in cars, often in situa- have involved an adult. This is teachers start where their tions where the driv- pupils are in their er has been drinking understanding of alcohol. Many professionals I meet risk, challenge Boys more often are also concerned that by and build on that depict scenes where understanding the risk taking is de- trying to reduce or eliminate risk and help them to liberate, such as from children’s lives we are see how, by playing “chicken” by recognising their running across a preventing them from learning their personal re- busy road. Girls are physical and emotional sponse to risk, more likely to per- they can help to ceive consequences limits, even in everyday situations keep themselves for other road users and others safe – and the friends and families perhaps the most worrying while having fun and learning of road accident victims than finding of all. Why are chil- from their experience. boys at the same age. dren and young people un- As RoSPA’s new risk educa- Of most concern to teach- likely to call on adult help and tion adviser I hope to be able ers and safety professionals support when they or their to persuade policy makers whose pupils have taken part friends are at risk? Is the fear and practitioners that risk is a in this research is the lack of of being told off so great, or concept which can be taught awareness of how to manage are they simply unaware of and can add value to existing Some young people combine or control risks in unfamiliar the services and support good practice in PSHE. hazards with other behaviours, so situations. Children are able available to them? smoking cannabis can be seen to give good advice to the Risk is a concept which un- both as a risk to health and as person in their picture about derpins so much of the work misbehaviour, where the harm crossing the road safely or done in personal, social and comes from getting caught. riding bicycles in the dark, The research, now carried but they are on more shaky out with thousands of chil- ground when knowing what dren and young people reveals to do if a friend is drunk, on

SAFETY Education Spring 2007 9 Activity sheet

CLASSROOM ACTIVITY TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF RISK Key Stages 2-4

Carry out the draw and write activity with Do this a few times so that it is clear that your pupils. Invite them to share some of the different people see risk differently. Are there hazards they have identified (high places, any examples where most people agree? misbehaviour, roads, alcohol, illegal drugs, fireworks, railway crossings). Write each one Now invite the pupils to get into groups to of these on a separate sheet of A4 paper, so discuss some of the more risky activities. that it can be read from the back of the What steps would they take to manage or room, and add a few of your own. These control the risk, so that the probability of could be inspired by a particular issue you harm is reduced – and the possibility of want to raise, or an activity you are planning benefits is increased? Encourage them to for them. identify sources of adult help and support where appropriate. The following examples might be appropriate for pupils in Key Stage 4: Invite them to reflect on what they have learned about risk by doing this activity? • Leaving a drink unattended at a party • Canoeing Ask them to imagine that they have a risk • Chatting to someone on the internet thermostat which experience has set for them.

Include at least one activity where the Where is their personal risk thermostat set? sense of danger (and thrill!) is high, but the risks are carefully controlled, such as a roller Do they like to take risks, or do they prefer coaster ride. not to take risks?

Now invite individual pupils to select one of the hazards and stand on an imaginary line at the front of the class, where high risk (severe consequences, highly probable) is at one end and low risk (least severe consequences, low probability) at the other end.

Ask them to hold their ‘hazard’ sheets so others can see them.

When they are in position ask the rest of the class if they agree. If anyone disagrees, ask them to take that hazard and change places.

10 SAFETY Education Spring 2007 Awards

Youngsters defy the critics

Within a week of British youths being described as the worst in Europe, Humber- side youngsters have defied the critics! At the Lifestyle Awards ceremony held at the Hull City Hall in November, a team of six 11 and 12 year old children called ‘The Healing Pool Savers’ were crowned Cham- pions of Lifestyle 2006. The panel of judges included sponsors BP and leading safety solutions provider, Arco. The winning team scooped a holiday of a lifetime to Disneyland Florida for their stunning project: the restora- tion of the outdoor swimming pool at Healing Primary School, Grimsby. The Lifestyle Project, organ- ment to the fact that, given ect coordinator at Humber- ing rooms. The team decided ised by Humberside Police the right encouragement and side Police, added, “This they wanted to re-open the throughout the school sum- support, many of them ac- highly successful initiative pool and enthusiastically set mer holidays each year, is tively seek to make a contri- has only been able to go from about gaining permission for open to young people aged bution to their local communi- strength to strength due to the project to go ahead and between 10 and 18, who live ty. the support of local business- enlisted the help of everyone in the vicinity of or attend “We have illustrated the su- es. Arco is a much-valued - local businesses, family and school in the Humberside po- perb work undertaken by long term supporter of the friends to completely reno- lice area. The project is de- teams to improve do just that Humberside Police Lifestyle vate and then re-open the signed to forge relationships across Humberside and I’m Project, sponsoring the Lifestyle swimming pool. between children, their com- proud of the role played by Awards Ceremony, which recog- Jobs undertaken included munities and the local police. Humberside Police in making nises and rewards the thou- installing hot running water Last summer, around 1,400 Lifestyle happen. This year sands of young people in the changing rooms, and teams entered the competi- alone more than 5,000 young throughout the Humber re- decorating them inside and tion, choosing a variety of people took part in Lifestyle, gion who take part in the out. The team also repaired projects to undertake through- working thousands of hours project annually. Many hours and repainted the exterior out the summer. At the end of to help others. I want to offer are spent on work to improve fencing around the pool and the school holidays, just six my personal congratulations local communities and im- created a lovely garden area. finalist teams of up to five 10- to everyone involved.” portant life skills are learnt by The local fire brigade even 18 year olds were short-list- One of the judges, Paul all those participating during helped by pumping out the ed. The five runner-up teams Lyons from Arco, said, “‘I was the long summer holidays.” smelly water from the pool! each won a fabulous Adventure exceptionally impressed with Arco also strongly supports No job was too daunting holiday to France including a all of the Lifestyle finalists and the Humberside Police for the team as an official day at Disneyland Paris. would like to congratulate the Lifestyle Rock Challenge Health and Safety report Brough Primary School also winners, Healing Pool Savers. which encourages secondary highlighted many areas of scooped the Lifestyle Top The way in which they man- school students to achieve a concern regarding the pool, School of the year Award, aged their project was superb. natural drug-free high through the team saw this as an op- winning £2,000 worth of “Each individual took per- performance. Due to their portunity to use their powers computer equipment, cour- sonal responsibility for spe- success in the Lifestyle Rock of persuasion to encourage tesy of Azzurri Commun- cific areas of work. This, com- Challenge. Students of Mat- electricians, plumbers and ications. bined with the sheer scale of thew Humberstone School in even the original pool makers Chief Constable of the task, the fact that every- Cleethorpes, provided the en- to donate their services to Humberside Police, Tim one said it would be impossi- tertainment at the Lifestyle help them undertake the Hollis said, “Young people ble and the resultant benefit Awards. many tasks required. get a pretty bad time from the to the community made the The pool renovated by Thanks to the efforts of The media these days. In my ex- Healing Pool Savers very Healing Pool Savers had Healing Pool Savers, the pool perience, the majority are worthy winners indeed. Well been closed for more than is now open once more en- perfectly normal kids grow- done to the whole team. All of two years and was in a very abling hundreds of local stu- ing up in a challenging world. that hard work was worth it!” sorry state with stagnant dents to learn to swim for Our Lifestyle project is testa- Lisa Whitton, Lifestyle proj- water and vandalised chang- many years to come.

SAFETY Education Spring 2007 11 Emotion

Emotional health is focus for the Samaritans Samaritans has launched its how you look. People who to Samaritans for support and home from London schools DEAL (Developing Emotional judge you otherwise are just adds: “Everyone puts on a for violent behaviour Awareness and Learning) pro- insecure themselves.” brave face when they have • Seventy five per cent of chil- gramme for schools, to imp- “Kids shouldn’t feel it’s stu- problems. Young people find dren with “conduct disor- rove the emotional health of pid to ask for help and worry it harder than anyone to ask der” problems when aged young people across the UK that they will be bullied if any- for help – they’re usually the 10 still have them when and Ireland. body finds out they have. last ones to ask for help when aged 15 years old It’s targeted at teens to Whoever they speak to they need it.” • Fifty per cent of children equip them with the emotion- should be approachable and The UK alone has 7.2 million with emotional problems al skills they need to cope able to listen confidentially to children of school age and when aged 10 still have with the “knocks” today’s so- anything that’s bothering DEAL is being announced at a them when aged 15 years ciety throws their way. them, without fear of being time when:- old DEAL goes to every second- judged.” • One in five children has • Emotional health promo- ary school, to be used as part Fiona Feehan, national co- psychological problems tion should not rely on in- of a whole school approach to formation alone but should emotional health and wellbe- involve the development of ing. It builds on extensive student skills and behav- work Samaritans has done iours that are reinforced in before with schools and will the wider community actively promote the emo- • Emotional and social com- tional wellbeing of young petence has been shown to people, raise awareness of be more influential than emotional health, promote cognitive abilities for per- positive ways of coping and sonal, career and scholastic challenge the stigma around success. Working in this asking for help. area can improve educa- The group Sugababes tional and life chances showed their support for The DEAL resource pack in- DEAL by taking part in a cludes: Samaritans photoshoot to • An introduction to emotion- back the launch. al health for schools Talking about emotional ordinator of the National • One in 10 children has a • Activities for staff health in schools, Sugababes Healthy Schools Programme clinically diagnosable men- • A DVD with separate sec- newest recruit Amelle Berrabah for England said:” The NHSS tal disorder tions for staff and pupils said: “Teachers should keep an has emotional health and • More than 60 per cent of • Cross curricular lesson eye out for any change in a well-being as one of its four teenage boys don’t know plans kid’s behaviour and make core themes. We place great what to do when someone • A series of fact sheets themselves available for their importance on a healthy becomes emotional to- Development coordinator students to talk to. They school being one which also wards them with Samaritans, Tonja Sch- should also encourage kids to caters for the emotional • More than 40 per cent of midt, who leads on DEAL, write things down if they find health and well-being of its girls also don’t know how said: “All schools have a re- it too hard to talk about their pupils and staff. This includes to react to someone who’s sponsibility to promote the problems out loud. “ information and awareness- upset emotional health of their stu- Keisha Buchanan said: raising alongside clear refer- • More than half of teenagers dents yet 63 per cent of teach- “Always accentuate the good ral pathways and systems of don’t know how to express ers say they do not feel confi- things about yourself and support.” their feelings – they can dent delivering this subject in don’t hide behind your inse- Danny McNamara, lead only stick to the facts when the classroom. DEAL has curities. Be happy in yourself. singer of Embrace, supports they talk about their prob- been shown to improve If you need to talk to some- Samaritans’ launch of DEAL lems teacher confidence, which body don’t be scared. Speak for schools and features in • Ten per cent of teenagers helps them to create a more out, don’t bottle things up.” DEAL’s DVD talking about (15-16 year olds) have self- emotionally healthy school Heidi Range said: “You emotional problems he had harmed environment.” should be judged on the way when he was younger. • A record 60 children a day Research by Professor Keith you are as a person not for Danny tells how he turned are suspended or sent Hawton, director of the

12 SAFETY Education Spring 2007 Emotion ritans University of Oxford centre for suicide research, for Samaritans, showed the most common reason for young people self-harming was re- lieving a ‘terrible state of mind’. The study also found that more than 40 per cent of young people looked for a friend’s help before harming themselves. Following these findings, Samaritans set about developing the DEAL pack as a way of encouraging young people to develop more constructive coping By exploring the barriers to DEAL includes exercises for learning and support at strategies and ensuring their asking for help, students learn promoting emotional health Langley Park Girls School, peers are better equipped to to be more supportive of each in other curriculum areas, said: “This is an important support them through difficult other, as well as how to han- such as citizenship, English issue which needs to be con- times. dle difficult situations in the and physical education. stantly revisited. Anything This is an excellent example best way themselves. DEAL’s whole school ap- which helps with that is of a robust academic study More than 1,000 students proach, involving all mem- tremendously useful. We are leading directly to a resource from 10 schools have taken bers of the school communi- not specialists and these are valuable to people in every- part in the testing of the DEAL ty, creates an emotionally real issues. Having lots of day life. programme, which cover sub- healthy culture – this places easy materials to use - it’s Emotional health-related jects across emotional health, DEAL firmly in line with exist- great.” skills are important to all parts The development of the of life. DEAL lessons can be Fifty per cent of children with emotional DEAL project was supported taught as part of a range of problems when aged 10 still have them by a group consisting of 65 subjects, including English lit- people from more than 35 dif- erature, citizenship, drama, when aged 15 years old ferent organisations, includ- and geography. The resources ing Samaritans’ volunteers help students understand listening skills, stress, bully- ing initiatives such as Every and professionals from edu- “emotional health” as it re- ing, self-harm, depression Child Matters Outcomes cation, health and other vol- lates to them, their friends, and suicide. Framework, National Healthy untary sector organisations. family and peers. The lessons Volunteers at the 202 Schools Scheme and Standard 1 Some of the teaching re- also help students identify Samaritans branches around of the National Service for sources were also developed coping strategies for stressful the UK and Ireland will also Mental Health. in partnership with Samaritans’ or difficult situations they become familiar with DEAL Royal and Sun Alliance do- volunteers and other organisa- may face, and to differentiate and they will continue to take nated £325,000 over three tions such as Childline and between positive and nega- an active role in their local years to pay for the develop- Connexions. tive coping strategies. schools. Volunteers can also ment of DEAL. The company Details of DEAL can be A key part of coping skills deliver DEAL with teachers also provided expertise and found on Samaritans website learning is to understand why and Samaritans branches will use of its facilities. at www.samaritans. org/deal it’s difficult to use positive continue to have an ongoing Feedback from both school where you can also hear the coping strategies, such as the role with their local schools as staff and students on DEAL development co-ordinator stigma which can prevent Samaritans’ work in schools has been positive and stu- with Samaritans, Tonja people from being open with the DEAL programme dents taking part in the pro- Schmidt, explaining the pro- about their problems with will develop and grow. The gramme showed an improve- gramme – and Danny their friends and family, or the programme is sustainable ment in their understanding McNamara talking about weakness often felt by young and will help improve the and attitude towards emo- problems he faced in younger people when their friends emotional health of children tional health. life and turning to Samaritans come to them with difficulties. well into the future. Fran Long, head of personal for support.

SAFETY Education Spring 2007 13 Alcohol

No to superheroes Alcohol makes you feel invin- but urge them to drink sensi- cible when you are most vul- bly to avoid situations which nerable says a hard-hitting could result in police involve- new campaign which will ment, injury or worse. urge young people to know “The Government is dedi- their limits when they have a cated to reduce alcohol relat- drink. ed harm and will continue to The new alcohol ad cam- work with the police to clamp paign will illustrate a series of down on irresponsible drink- different scenarios where ers and retailers while young people, thinking they strengthening our partner- are “superheroes” while drunk, ships with the alcohol indus- take risks with their health try to entrench responsible al- and safety, for example, cohol sales.” falling off high scaffolding, Srabani Sen, CEO of Alcohol walking home alone, running Concern said: “We’re delight- into a busy road, getting into ed to see the launch of this fights and coming to serious campaign. Alcohol Concern harm. has long argued that mes- The joint Department of sages promoting sensible Health and the Home Office drinking need to be actively campaign primarily aims to promoted and designed with encourage 18 to 24 year olds The Know Your Limits cam- we hope it will help create a specific groups in mind if to drink responsibly and be paign started in October with culture where drinking re- they are to have any impact. aware of the possible serious a thought provoking TV ad- sponsibly is the norm. This is especially true of 16- consequences of drinking to vert. Advertising was spread “We need to get the re- 24 year olds, where binge excess. across cinema, radio, maga- sponsible drinking message drinking is widely considered However, the campaign is zines and online throughout across because 80 per cent of to be a ‘rite of passage’ into also designed to appeal to a November. pedestrian deaths on Friday adulthood. slightly younger age group, Public Health Minister and Saturday nights are drink “This campaign marks an which research suggests may Caroline Flint said: “In related and nearly three quar- important starting point in already be drinking illegally. It England it is estimated that ters of peak time A & E ad- changing young people’s atti- is hoped it may be possible to 5.9 million people drink to get missions are alcohol related.” tudes to binge drinking but influence their future drinking drunk. Males and females Home Office Minister Vernon there’s still a great deal more habits if messages are target- aged 18 to 24 are our priority Coaker said: “We all have the to do if we’re to change the ed to them earlier. in this campaign as they are right to enjoy a few drinks way young people in this Latest figures show that: the most likely to drink irre- with friends and family but in country think about their rela- • Seventy per cent of peak sponsibly. doing so we have a duty of tionship with alcohol.” time A & E admissions are “We are not trying to de- care to behave responsibly David Poley, chief executive alcohol related monise alcohol or stop peo- and not risk the safety and of The Portman Group said: • One in three reported rapes ple enjoying themselves. This wellbeing of ourselves or “Drinks companies have no happens when the victim is about encouraging young other people. wish to see their products has been drinking people to still have a good “People who drink to ex- misused by binge drinking • Around half of all violent time but to know their limits, cess put themselves in un- young adults. We therefore crime is alcohol related and to take responsibility for necessary danger and have warmly welcome this Govern- • Figures show that for 16 to how much they drink. to live with the consequences ment campaign which com- 24 year olds in England, 33 “Drinking too much alcohol of their actions, whether that plements the educational per cent of men drank more alters your judgement and is being arrested, an £80 fine work already carried out by than eight units on at least perception and can lead to or the unpleasant prospect of the industry”. one day and 24 per cent of people taking risks with their physical harm. Professor Ian Gilmore, presi- women drank more than health and safety which they “This new £4 million adver- dent of the Royal College of six units on at least one day would never normally even tising campaign illustrates Physicians, said: “This launch • Younger people are likely consider while sober. the consequences people is really important. If we can to drink heavily - 48 per “This high profile advertis- could face for drinking to ex- start to change young peo- cent of males and 39 per ing campaign will support the cess. I want people to contin- ple’s drinking patterns, there cent of females aged 16 to actions the Government is ue enjoying their nights out, is a chance that we may 24 drink above the daily taking to tackle the problem begin to turn the tide of esca- recommendations. of alcohol related harm and lating cirrhosis deaths which we are currently seeing in people in their 30s and 40s.”

14 SAFETY Education Spring 2007 News

New approach to road safety

It’s a tragic fact that preventa- the death of 12,000 people includes vignettes from other in- the very real dangers of not tak- ble injury is the UK’s number every year in the UK and jury survivors who speak candid- ing sensible precautions to avoid one killer of young people and places an annual bill of £1.6 bil- ly about how injury has changed injury when participating in risky the biggest single killer of peo- lion on the NHS in medical treat- their lives. Leana was left paral- activities. This road show ple aged under 40. ment. ysed from the waist down after is an important step in getting SMARTRISK is a nationwide The SMARTRISK Heroes being a passenger in a car which young people to think about charity that is working to ad- road show saw a live pre- was driven recklessly and sub- the consequences of their ac- dress the problem and is using a sentation from a young person sequently crashed into a verge. tions.” dynamic new approach which who had sustained Cllr Pauline is shaking up the world of serious injuries as a Clarke, Somerset injury prevention. A SMARTRISK result of not think- Preventable injury, currently County Council’s road show visited Bridgwater, ing about the accounts for the deaths of 12,000 portfolio holder for Somerset, in March. The cam- consequences of strategic services for paign was designed to raise their actions. They people every year in the UK children and young awareness of preventable injury, told students about people added, “Injury which currently accounts for how the experience sustained through not of their injury had changed their Somerset County Council, in thinking about your actions can life. The programme is designed partnership with Avon and devastate lives and mean years I Finding not to scare young people away Somerset Constabulary, Somer- of pain and slow rehabilitation. from having fun but rather focus set Coast Primary Care Trust Getting this message across toys for on the consequences of not and preventable injury charity to carefree young people is a considering safety when enjoy- SMARTRISK, have delivered the real challenge for authorities like ing activities which contain an el- road show to groups of students the county council, PCT’s and disabled ement of risk. at Bridgwater College, Haygrove the police who often find it chal- The hour-long show incor- School, Robert Blake College lenging to engage with younger children porates large-scale multi im- and Chilton Trinity School. people. This road show helps to ages, sound and lights, which Bob Ward, headteacher at bridge that gap and brings a Ableplay.org is a toy rating are designed specifically as a Haygrove School said, “It is im- message that we hope will see system and website which high impact event to capture the portant that we bring a clear and our young people fully aware of provides comprehensive in- student’s attention. In addition to engaging message to our school the importance of being smart formation on toys for children the live presentation, the show children, to point out about risk.” with disabilities. It helps parents, special educators, ther- apists and others to make the best choices for the children I Hearing latest on LASER in their lives with disabilities. Developed by the National Delegates from all over the • Programme management Documentation for accre- Lekotek Center, the nonprofit country gathered in Stevenage • Evaluation ditation by permanent safety authority on play for children to hear about the latest pro- The 42 delegates came back centres has been ‘signed off’ with disabilities, AblePlay will gress in the LASER project. with the following action by the steering group. provide parents, and the pro- Formal proceedings began points: All active permanent safety fessionals who work with in the splendid environment of • Collect, collate and publish, centres have been informed them, access to the most use- Stevenage Council Chamber. on the LASER web site, an au- and invited to consider regis- ful, product-specific informa- Richard Evans, head of envi- ditable database of incidents tering their interest. tion about the top play and ronmental health from where children, and others The members’ area of the learning products and toys Stevenage Borough Council have used the experiences web site is now active and for children with disabilities. welcomed delegates and reaf- and skill gained from their growing. In addition to access Features of Ableplay in- firmed Stevenage’s support for local LASER scheme in a ‘real to support documents, a mem- clude: LASER (Learning About Safety life’ situation bers’ details database, and Search for AblePlay- by Experiencing Risk). Colin • Organise a programme of scheme locations database the Rated™ Toys & Play Products Morris, who chaired the event similar ‘informal events’ at site also contains the latest ver- at http://www.ableplay.org/ for the remainder of the day, other venues sions of the LASER Forum files search.asp introduced John Vallender • Organise a programme of which can be downloaded for Where to Buy: http:// who provided a brief resume ‘topic focused’ events use and copied to CD/DVD or www.ableplay.org/buy.asp of the project and an outline of In addition to the contacts workstations. Tips on Using Ableplay the accreditation process. made, delegates left with the The forum now has more Rating Information: http:// Workshops focused on the latest copy of the LASER than 90 members who have www.ableplay.org/howtouse. three primary quality assur- Forum on CD and copies of the made themselves and their asp ance areas of the accreditation ‘Just a Stones Throw’ teaching areas of interest and expertise AblePlayers Club: http://www. programme. resource produced by the known and available to other ableplay.org/apc.asp • Partnership Highways Agency. members.

SAFETY Education Spring 2007 15 Buying safety

Mini motos put kids at risk

New advice and information figures for injuries caused as a motorbike crash helmet. • European Community Whole has been provided by RoSPA result of mini motorbike use. The problem has become Type Approval or Motorcycle for parents who are considering However, of the seven recent greater with an estimated ten- Single Vehicle Approval buying a powered ‘toy’ for their fatalities: fold increase in sales since 2002, children, and in particular: mini • Five involved children under primarily due to their low cost RoSPA believes that many motorbikes, go-peds, monkey 15 years of age and the ability to buy online. The potential incidents can be avoid- bikes, quad bikes and similar • Six occurred while on the influx of lower quality cheap ma- ed if mini motorbikes are used in off road vehicles. This offers road chines and little emphasis on a managed environment, with simple advice and outlines fac- • One included young children safety precautions from these appropriate safety equipment tors to take into consideration riding as a passenger on the suppliers has added to the and training such as that pro- before, during and after pur- vehicle problem. moted by the Auto Cycle Union. chase. RoSPA is concerned that the Many local government and What follows is some simple ad- Mini motorbikes, quad bikes lack of suitable recognised police authorities have become vice if you are considering pur- and powered scooters are chasing a mini motorbike: known as ‘mini motos’ or ‘go Under pressure parents buying mini peds’. They can be bought for Before Purchase: as little as £150. Many of these motos will not always be aware that they • Check there are local safe machines are very powerful ca- may be encouraging their children to and legal riding sites pable of travelling in excess of • Budget for the cost of appro- 40 mph and some can reach 60 break the law and putting them at risk priate safety equipment and mph. of severe injury rider training Under pressure parents buy- • Work out how the mini moto ing mini motos will not always be places to ride and irresponsible increasingly concerned over the will be transported to and aware that they may be encour- selling will lead to parents allow- misuse of mini motos and other from safe sites aging their children to break the ing children to ride on pave- small powered vehicles. The • Establish how you can con- law and putting them at risk of ments and roads, public parks Home Office has recently trol use of the bike when it is launched an initiative targeting not supervised the misuse of mini motorbikes - • Check for a local reputable specifically seizing and crushing dealer illegally ridden machines. Off road - The only place it is During Purchase: legal to ride off road on a mini • Check if the bike is limited to motorbike is on private land with 50cc the landowner’s permission. • Ask the dealer about local There have been cases where sites and clubs or opportuni- the landowner has been prose- ties for under 16’s to ride cuted following motorbike acci- • Check for appropriate (ideal- dents on their sites, even when ly CE marked) and well fitting they had not given permission to helmets, gloves, boots and ride. leathers. On road - Any powered ve- • Ask what maintenance sup- hicle used on the public highway port, and guidance is avail- must comply with all aspects of able from your dealer net- road traffic law. In order to be work able to ride legally on road, the rider must have, or comply with After Purchase: the following: • Ensure use of the mini moto • Minimum of 16 years of age is supervised at all times • Wear an approved crash hel- • Join the ACU or member met club severe injury. Many of the mini or on open and unused land; • Have a valid driving licence • Get some training motorbikes on sale are marketed which is potentially illegal and • Road Tax • Ride the machine in the right as toys, however, machines with dangerous to both riders and • Insurance place, with supervision and electric or petrol motors are other users. The Society is also • Vehicle registration with safety equipment. classed as motor vehicles. concerned about riders using • MOT certificate There have been at least these machines without protec- seven fatalities involving mini tive equipment - especially a motorbikes since September 2004. There are no national

16 SAFETY Education Spring 2007

Please can Folium repeat the RS advert from the last issue of Safety Ed... and place it on the back cover...

Sorry, I don’t have a copy of it as reference