Dumfries and Galloway school children given life-saving lessons for Operation Safety
dailyrecord.co.ukHundreds of primary school children have been learning life-saving lessons as part of Operation Safety.Scottish Ambulance, fire and rescue, police, Dumfries and Galloway Youth Work and SP Energy Network staff volunteered at DG One to teach kids a variety of safety skills.More than 1,200 P7s will take part over the course of three weeks.Water safety, bonfire and fireworks, online safety, first aid, youth work on resilience and electrical safety were among the topics for P7 pupils.This year marks the 24th year of the unique workshop and the first edition to take place after the Covid-19 pandemic.Ambulance technician Ali Donowho, who taught schoolchildren the recovery position, said: “When it first started it was the three emergency services and as it’s gone on more services wanted to get involved.“Over the years we’ve had the Coastguard, Forestry, Smoking Matters all involved.“The reason this continues every year is because the kids love it so much.
It’s so informal but it’s so educational that they pick things up and remember it. A true story I tell in my set about being called to a primary school in 2019 because four kids saved another kid’s life when he was knocked out cold playing football because they remembered what I taught them.
It does work.“I’ve had kids when I’ve turned up at their door say to me: “Ali I remembered the ABC and recovery position.” so they remember it.”Community firefighter Louise Smith said: “Operation Safety is something that is unique to Dumfries and Galloway.“Every year we go back to the education committee and say we’re looking for funding for buses and they’re always ready to support us because they know the kids really enjoy coming and it does work.”
Read more on dailyrecord.co.uk
