Safety Day is designed to educate UK children on fire dangers 
UK Fire & Rescue services are being urged to participate in National Schools' Fire Safety Awareness campaign
The Fire Fighters Charity and the Communities and Local Government Fire Kills Campaign are working together to encourage Fire and Rescue Services to work with their local primary schools on National Schools' Fire Safety Day.
This year the day will take place on Wednesday October 14th 2009 and will provides the perfect opportunity for fire fighters to communicate a fire safety message to Key Stage 1 children.
Latest statistics have shown that 29 children under the age of 11 are killed in fires in the UK every year, and over 1,100 are seriously injured. The two organisations have put measures in place which will help reduce this statistic. Over the next couple of years they aim to make learning about fire safety an annual, high profile event listed in schools' diaries up and down the country. By introducing a different fire safety topic each year, pupils taking part will learn valuable fire safety lessons that might one day save their lives.
Supported by The Department of Children, Schools and Families, this year's campaign will focus on ‘planning a safe escape' and will be specifically targeted at Key Stage 1 children. The main objective for the Day is for Year 2 children to learn five related key messages, which they can take home and relay to their families.
All teachers wishing to participate in the event are able to request a free teachers' resource pack which will include classroom activity worksheets, an event poster, a homework sheet and teachers' guidance notes. The campaign will be supported by a fun and educational microsite, lead by fictional character - Neenaw the fire engine, and will include individually designed zones for adults and children.
Teachers can order a resource pack by calling 01202 653 360, or by completing the online request form at: www.nationalschoolsfiresafetyday.com. Additional materials can also be downloaded from the website, where teachers, parents and the fire community will be able to discover more about the event.
To support the day's activities, The Plan a Safe Escape Team have recommended that teachers contact their Community Fire Safety team at their local Fire and Rescue Service in the hope that they may be able to support the Day by visiting the school and talking to the children about ‘planning a safe escape'.
Keith MacGillivray, Chairman of The Fire Fighters Charity said "The Fire Services work tirelessly to prevent fires from starting, but it is important that when they do, people know how to react. Children need to know how to escape from a fire and we would encourage families to work out an escape plan together. Teachers, with help from their local fire and rescue services can play an extremely important part, encouraging families to work on this project together. Ultimately, it could save lives."
