March 26 2014


Seaford Rotary Club’s Mike Hemmings reports on the latest March event held by the club…

At a Club meeting in March, we were pleased to greet Sussex Police’s PC Carolyn Ross and Senior Environmental Health Officer for Lewes District Council Tony Still, who co-ordinate the annual Lewes District ‘Safety in Action Week.’

They explained that the week is for year 6 students and educates the children how to deal with different safety and emergency scenarios in relation to fires, accidents, electricity, dogs, strangers, alcohol, water, roads and food safety. The event teaches them about personal safety and the correct responses should they be faced with similar real-life situations.

Over 700 children from around 25 primary schools across the district take part in the morning or afternoon sessions which are held at Newhaven Fort
. The children, in teams, visit different action stations, which are run by the emergency services, the local authority and power and transport companies. Teams are given a score based on what they learned from the scenarios and their teamwork, with a winning school being awarded a trophy at the end of the week. In addition, each child taking part receives a certificate and a ‘goody bag’ of safety aids and additional information which can be considered later; either at home or in the classroom.

The Rotary Club of Seaford sponsors the prizes each year; and this year's Safety in Action Week is 19th to 23rd May.

Photos, courtesy of Mike Hemmings : Top - Tony Still & Carolyn Ross. Below - Newhaven Fort.