Home Safety Around Wales : What's going on?
North Wales
‘Caring 4 Kidz’
Caring 4 Kidz is a course aimed at young people either already babysitting for friends or neighbours or who are informal carers for their younger brothers or sisters.
Over the last three years Sure Start in Flintshire has recognised that many young people aged from between 12 and 16 are supporting their parents look after siblings. Some are infrequent school attenders, whilst others have been excluded from mainstream education.
The course is delivered in the early evening, weekly for 6 weeks. The topic areas are broad and include child development, the importance of play, dealing with difficult behaviour, nutrition, child safety, keeping themselves safe, domestic violence, first aid, sexual health and drug and alcohol abuse. The delivery is fun, interactive and sensitive. The five courses held in 2003 attracted over 100 young people.
As more practitioners hear of Flintshire’s successes there has been an increasing interest for training. This will enable others to develop similar opportunities for young people in their areas. The first two day training course has been set for March 24 th and 25 th in Buckley Flintshire.
Anyone wanting further details contact: Helen Heard on 01244 545021 or e-mail helen.heard@flintshire.gov.uk
Anglesey’s Four Seasons of Safety
Over the past year, the Isle of Anglesey County Council has been raising awareness about home safety in line with the four seasons. This involved:
- Winter: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – visiting locations with the DTI’s Carbon Monoxide Mobile Exhibition Unit. CO detectors were installed in 63 homes.
- Spring: Child Safety Week – around 4,500 anti-scald bath plugs were distributed. The Wales Home Safety Council Trailer visited primary schools and posters and coasters highlighting the danger of burns and scalds were distributed. 100 fireguards were given to Community First Areas kick starting a community based loan scheme.
- Summer: Garden and Sun Safety – the DTI’s ‘How Safe is Your Garden?’ mobile unit toured the island. A sun safe logo competition was launched amongst primary schools.
- Autumn: Home Safety Fair – three Home Safety Fairs which incorporated the “Keep Well this Winter” theme and electric blanket testing.
Read an evaluation of the fair here. (External PDF link)
Future Plans - Home Safety Fair 2004
All those 65 years plus who completed a questionnaire at the last Fairs will be issued with an electronic ‘cold alarm’ that acts as an instant alert when a room temperature drops, therefore protecting against hypothermia and other cold-related illnesses.
For more information contact: Huw Thomas, Public Protection Dept., Isle of Anglesey. Tel: 01248 752823. E-mail: htxpp@ynysmon.gov.uk
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