This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Fire safety website launched
27/06/2006
A new website aimed at raising childrens' awareness of fire safety precautions has been launched today.
The Blaze Aware website - part of the Executive's Don't Give Fire a Home website - has been developed to support the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services' community education programmes.
The site includes a 'hazard house' game, which asks children to work against the clock to identify safety hazards within three rooms of a house - the bedroom, livingroom and kitchen. Children who identify all the hazards are rewarded with a 'virtual token'. As they progresses through the site further tokens can be collected and printed off in the form of a certificate.
Launching the website at the Royal High Primary School in Edinburgh, where pupils have successfully tested the site, Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said:
"As young people look forward to the school summer holidays it is important that they are still aware of the dangers of fire. Too many lives are lost each year because of fires in the home, many of which could have been avoided. In 2004 alone five children were killed and 176 injured in fires in Scotland. That is why we are determined to ensure every child has access to common sense advice on how to stay safe.
"The Blaze Aware website is designed to be a fun, creative and interactive way of getting the message across. Children have an important role to play in keeping their homes and families safe, whether by unplugging video games, appreciating the dangers of matches or simply by pestering adults to check smoke alarms.
"There's also valuable advice on what to do in the event of a fire, what to do if your clothes catch fire and simple rules of fire safety that are easy to learn.
"The website will also help young people to grow into responsible citizens by raising awareness of the consequences of hoax calls and tampering with fire hydrants.
"Lothian and Borders Fire Service have made a valuable input to the development of this resource and I hope that fire services across Scotland, parents, teachers and young people will all find it a useful tool in reducing fire deaths and injuries across the country."
Ken Harrold, Convenor of the Lothian and Borders Fire Board said:
"We are delighted to have participated in the development of this website. It is exciting that we have yet another educational resource to share with teachers, parents and young people."
The Blaze Aware website is part of the Executive's Don't Give Fire a Home website, created to help address Scotland's poor fire safety record.
The site cost 36,000 pounds to develop and has been designed to help support existing school education programmes and community youth work.
Lothian and Borders, recognised as leaders in the provision of fire safety advice in schools, provided advice throughout the 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.