Date issued: 26 Jul 2010
SAFE AS HOUSES?
Nationwide helps children avoid hazards in the home this holiday season
Trips, slips and falls, burns, scalds and poisoning - these are just some of the accidents that are sending four children in the UK to hospital every hour1. And what's more, they all occur in the 'safety' of our own homes.
To help children develop important home safety skills, Nationwide Building Society has launched a series of interactive web-based resources for ages two through to 16. All the materials can be accessed for free via the Nationwide Education website and the workbooks and games can be used by children, young people and their families on PCs at home. Separate support sections for parents and teachers provide useful hints and tips about safety in the home and guidance on how to support young people in learning important safety messages.
In the 2-4 year age group for example, children and parents can follow the adventures of Sam, Poppy and Tiger the cat as they learn through simple stories and activities about the dangers in the home. As well as stories and colouring-in activity sheets, the section also has a helpful glossary which helps explain key safety words so they are easy for children to understand.
Caroline Hallatt, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Nationwide commented: "As the UK's third largest mortgage provider, we help thousands of people buy homes every year. Ensuring the home is a safe and secure place to live is every parent's priority, and we hope our new Home Safety programme will help get serious messages across in a fun and memorable way. By increasing children's awareness of potential hazards and by minimising risks, we hope to help reduce the number of accidents in the home this summer and in the future."
To try our new home safety tools for yourself log onto: www.nationwideeducation.co.uk/safety-education/home-safety/students/02-04_safety-first-home/index.php
Notes to editors:
About Nationwide Education
Nationwide Education is designed to help stimulate and raise awareness amongst children and young people in the communities in which we work, particularly in the areas of safety, financial capability and sustainable living. The programmes engage children and young people through fun, interactive games that contain serious messages and link into the curriculum. All Nationwide Education resources are free and have been designed for use on interactive whiteboards and PCs, and include downloadable PDFs, making it easy to use Nationwide Education in the classroom or at home. Resources include an extensive range of in-depth information for teachers (work sheets, curriculum links and extension activities) and for parents (tips to help at home, suggested activities and discussion points). Accessibility options for visually impaired and disabled users are also available.
About Nationwide Education's Home Safety programmes
Nationwide Education's Home Safety programmes are aimed at ages two to 16. They are designed to build children's and young people's understanding of a range of dangers in and around the home including fire, heat, sharp objects, trip/slip hazards, poisons and electrical dangers, to help them and their families stay safe. Programmes are fun and engaging, featuring interactive read-aloud story books, interactive games, fact sheets, work sheets, glossaries and tips/guidance for parents and teachers. All materials are free to access online at www.NationwideEducation.co.uk.
Nationwide's latest Corporate Responsibility Report, More Than Just Words, is available to view at: www.nationwide.co.uk/cr/reports.
1 Hospital Episode Statistics 2008-09: 35,057 hospital admissions of under fives in England.
