Youngsters teaching adults about fire safety may seem like an unlikely role reversal, but this is exactly the approach adopted by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue in a new initiative to keep people safe from fire and fireworks.

A group of six Year Five and Year Six pupils from Long Toft Primary School in Stainforth, Doncaster, have received training in fire safety and will now be passing their new knowledge on to their classmates, families and others in their community.

And in the run up to bonfire night, they will have an even more vital role to play in keeping themselves and others safe.  They will be telling their parents about the dangers at this time of year, as part of a Government campaign warning ‘have-a-go’ dads about the risks posed by using fireworks. The message to those in charge of displays is “Take more responsibility with fireworks – they are more dangerous than you think and could severely injure children or yourself.”

The youngsters were selected for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s ‘Fire Watch Crew’ after firefighters visited the school to explain the impact and dangers of fire, arson and other issues such as antisocial behaviour. The group now has the responsibility to work with local fire safety officers and pass the message on at school, at home and in their community.

The initiative is being piloted at four schools in the area covered by Thorne Fire Station.  If the scheme is successful, it could be rolled out to schools across South Yorkshire.

Thorne Fire Station Manager John Torn, from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said: “Although we educate children and the wider community on fire safety, this initiative goes much further by giving youngsters the opportunity to pass on what they’ve learned.  This also helps to show their peers that starting fires is unacceptable.

“As Bonfire Night approaches, this is an ideal opportunity for our young Fire Watch Crew to advise parents on handling fireworks safely.  We hope that by hearing the message from their children, it will encourage parents to take extra care when putting on their own displays at home.”

Minister for Trade, Investment and Consumer Affairs, Gareth Thomas said:  “Millions of families love watching fireworks, but no-one wants to be a victim of the accidents that can and do happen.

“Even if you think you know how to handle fireworks, failing to follow the Firework Code properly puts you and your loved ones in danger.

“Each of us has a responsibility to take the right precautions with fireworks so we can all enjoy them safely this year.”

Each year the highest number of firework injuries happen at family or private parties, and over half of those injuries are to children.1

Any adult in charge of the festivities needs to know the Firework Code’s safety guidelines, to help make their firework display a memorable occasion for the right reasons.  Information, online games and tips for making firework displays safe and enjoyable for children and adults alike can be found at www.BERR.gov.uk/fireworks/index.htm

The Child Accident Prevention Trust website (www.capt.org.uk) and Direct Gov website (www.direct.gov.uk) also give useful guidance on keeping children safe.

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 Source: Firework Injury Survey 2005 (http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file29031.pdf)

***Media Opportunity***

Journalists and photographers are invited to attend Long Toft Primary School, Church Road, Stainforth, Doncaster DN7 5AB, on Thursday 23 October at 4pm.  Thorne Fire Station Manager, John Torn, will be available for interview, along with staff from the school, the young Fire Watch Crew and their parents.

To confirm attendance at the event, or to arrange an interview, please contact Eleanor Harte at COI News and PR, Yorkshire and Humber, on 0113 341 3181.

Notes to Editors
1. The Firework Code - follow these guidelines to keep everyone safe at your firework display
· Only buy fireworks that are marked BS7114 – it means they conform to British safety Standards.
· Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.
· Keep fireworks in a closed box. 
· Follow the instructions on each firework and be sure they are suitable for  home use
· Light at arm's length, using a taper.
· Stand well back.
· Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off, it could  still explode.
· Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.
· Always supervise children around fireworks.
· Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.
· Never give sparklers to a child under five.
· Keep pets indoors.

2.   For further information about firework safety from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), visit www.BERR.gov.uk/fireworks.

3.  The Child Accident Prevention Trust website also has useful tips on keeping children safe.  Visit www.capt.org.uk

4.   Further information for retailers about storage and selling of fireworks is available on the Health & Safety Executive website www.hse.gov.uk/explosives/fireworks