Tots Learn Fire Dangers - the Cornish Way

A Cornish programme to teach toddlers about the dangers of fire is so successful that it's being adopted by other fire services.

Already more than seven thousand under fives across the county have learned about fire safety since the launch of Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service's successful ELFS educational package in 2008.

It features seven characters each focusing on an aspect of fire or road safety and comes in a fire engine-shaped box containing fire and rescue dressing up clothes, games, jigsaws and books.

Extra money's been secured so that the programme can expand.  It's already been used by the other fire and rescue services in the South West.

"Our belief is that you are never too young to start learning how to stay safe," said Group Manager Mark Blatchford, from CFRS's Fire Prevention Team. 

"Feedback from educators has been very positive and the package has now been adopted by the South West's five other fire and rescue services who are now piloting the resource in their areas."

"Our children at Little Acorns Nursery had great fun with the elfs pack during our Child Safety Week," said Kerry Corner from Little Acorns Nursery in Camelford. "They loved dressing up as firefighters, playing snap with the elfs cards and especially pressing the smoke alarm, it's still ringing in our ears! A great resource for a range of ages."

"We really enjoyed the whole toolkit, it has very good resources and all our children loved it," said Tracey Griffiths, from Curlews Pre-School at Cubert Primary School.

"What a fantastic resource with everything you need to support children's understanding of fire safety and what the fire service does," said Judy Nicholas from Helston Children's Centre.

Early years educators can register for a free copy of the ELFS book online or call 01208 72087 by Friday 20 July.

You can find out more at  www.cornwall.gov.uk/elfs