This summer, we want all children and young people to enjoy themselves and have fun outside – but to do so safely.
Please talk to your children about how they can keep themselves safe over the holidays, especially older children and teenagers who may be out independently with friends rather than family.
The three safety areas the fire and rescue service would like to focus on are outdoor fire safety, water safety and road safety.
The videos below, for different age groups, can be used to help start a conversation with your child about the choices they make to keep themselves safe this summer.
- Foundation and year 1 ( ages 3 – 6 ) Staying Safe (462) Summer Safety Foundation and year 1 – YouTube
- Years 2 and 3 (ages 6 – 8) Be Aware and Take Care (462) Summer Safety Year 2 and 3 – YouTube
- Years 4,5 & 6 (8 -11 ) Think Firefighter (462) Summer Safety Years 4 5 and 6 – YouTube
- Year 7 plus (ages 11 plus) Safety Sense (462) Summer Safety Key Stage 3 and 4 – YouTube
The main safety messages are:
Fire safety outdoors: Barbecues and campfires. Due to the high fire risk, barbecues and campfires are banned in many places. If you do have a barbecue, further safety advice can be found here. If clothes catch fire: stop, drop and roll. If someone is burnt: cool, cover and call for help Burns and scalds – NHS (www.nhs.uk) Never play with matches or lighters.
Water safety: If possible, swim at a lifeguarded beach between the flags. Jumping directly into water can cause cold water shock. If you do fall into water unexpectedly, or feel scared when in water, then float on your back with your arms and legs out like a star until your breathing calms. If you see someone in trouble in the water, encourage them to float, do not enter the water yourself, if possible throw them something to hold onto, and call 999 and ask for the coastguard if at the coast or fire and rescue service if inland. Be aware of tides and currents and underwater hazards. Further safety information can be found here: Know the risks (rnli.org)
Road safety: always wear a seatbelt (and, if required, use a car seat) when in a vehicle, take care and stay alert as a pedestrian and wear helmets when on bikes, scooters and skateboards. THINK! – Road safety
If your child needs help in an emergency, call 999. If they have a mobile phone, ask them to download the What3Words app which will help them give an accurate location. Calling the emergency services as soon as possible will make sure help gets there as quickly as possible, but never call 999 as a joke or hoax call. This video is suitable for older children (age 8 plus).
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service wish everyone a fun, happy and safe summer!