A pilot involving St Peter's R.C Primary School and High Spen Primary School was launched in 2004.
Risk Watch is an injury prevention programme led by the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service supported by Northumbria Police, Gateshead Health Promotion, Leisure Services, Gateshead School Health Advisors, Whoops - Child Safety Injury Prevention Service and many other health promoting organisations.
The "Coalition" led by Graham Shiel and Jillian Rees Community Safety Education Officers for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service have met with the two schools to outline the injury prevention programme which is being piloted during the spring/summer term 2005. If the evaluation is good and further funding is found it is proposed to extend the programme to other schools in 2006.
Risk Watch is an injury prevention programme for children from the ages 4-13. It is designed to help children and families create safer homes and communities by teaching them the skills and knowledge they need to make positive choices about their personal safety and well-being.
Risk Watch seeks to prevent the major unintentional injuries that threaten children in this early age group.
The Risk Watch topics include:-
- Motor vehicle safety
- Fire and burn prevention
- Choking, suffocation and strangulation prevention
- Poisoning prevention
- Fall prevention
- Weapons injury prevention
- Bike and pedestrian safety
- Water safety
Risk Watch modules are delivered through different characters - roles appropriate to their age e.g:
A - Storytellers
B - Detectives
C - Reporter
D - Promoters
E - Coach
For further information contact Jillian Rees Community Safety Education Officer - Tel: 0191 2359472.