“Beesafe” Safety Initiative attracts over 600 Primary School Pupils

The Fermanagh and Omagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) recently co-ordinated and funded an initiative, for primary school children in the district, which covered a wide range of safety measures.

Over the course of the week, more than 600 primary seven pupils from 22 schools in the area took part in the innovative scheme which was hosted at Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown. Presentations were delivered on a range of topics such as:

• Online Safety (PSNI)
• Road Safety (PSNI)
• Electricity Safety (NI Electricity)
• Farm and Rural Safety (Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland)
• Fire Safety (Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service)
• Safety in the Home (Fermanagh and Omagh District Council)
• Travel Safety (Translink)
• Water Safety (RNLI)

The aim of the event was to provide an imaginative way of teaching Primary Seven pupils how to prevent everyday accidents, how to avoid dangerous situations and how to deal with them safely and effectively. “Beesafe” was targeted at pupils, specifically at this time of year, to highlight the dangers which they may encounter transferring to post primary schools in September.

The sessions were designed expressly with the intention of encouraging high levels of interaction and involvement from pupils by getting them to participate in simulated scenarios in a controlled environment. This not only encouraged the children to think for themselves but also gave them practical experience of preventing and coping with potentially dangerous situations as opposed to simply being taught about managing risk in a classroom environment.

Speaking at the event, Cllr Allan Rainey MBE, Chair of the Fermanagh & Omagh PCSP, said;

‘The key to the success of “Beesafe” is the partnership approach in delivery of accident prevention messages. Many organisations have given their time and expertise to highlight accident prevention and safety messages which could potentially save a child’s life. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organisations for taking the time to be part of this worthwhile event.’

Also speaking at the event in Irvinestown, Constable Leslie Ward, PSNI Schools Liaison Officer said:

‘Beesafe is an extremely valuable learning experience for our Key Stage 2 students, it incorporates many important safety messages that will hopefully have a lasting impact on our young people.’

For further information on the Policing and Community Safety Partnership, please contact Fermanagh and Omagh PCSP on 0300 303 1777.