RUNCORN firefighters took a break from saving lives by visiting a community centre to give parents advice on how to keep their youngsters safe and well.

The potentially life-saving advice given by members of Runcorn Fire Station’s Blue Watch was geared towards parents of one to three-year-old children.

A large number of parents and children attended the talk at Wicksten Drive Christian Centre in Runcorn yesterday, Tuesday, May 28, and the event was inspired by Child Safety Week, which starts on Monday, June 3.

Run by the Child Accident Prevention Trust and supported by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) and National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), the annual campaign aims to raise awareness of the risks of child accidents and how they can be prevented.

Blue Watch Crew Manager Kevin O’Neill said: “Helping to prevent accidents is a huge part of the service that CFRS provides to communities, and young children are more at risk of accidents than anyone.

“As such, we are staunch supporters of Child Safety Week and my crew and I were more than happy to visit the community centre to give a group of parents of young children potentially life-saving advice.

“We gave them advice regarding burns and scalds, falls and fire and road safety.

“We also told them what to do if their child stops breathing or swallows something they shouldn’t have done, including something poisonous.

“We gave choking and CPR advice and demonstrations using a baby doll provided by the centre, and at the end of the talk we answered any questions that the parents had.

“We also handed out accompanying literature for parents to turn to as and when they need further help and gave them and their children a tour of our fire engine.

“They were able to take pictures of themselves in the fire engine and everyone seemed to really enjoy the day, as did my crew and I.

“I would like to thank all the parents and children for attending and the people at Wicksten Drive Christian Centre for helping to set up the event.”

Free smoke alarms were given out at the event to those who revealed that they do not have working smoke alarms in their home.

Safe and Well Visits were arranged for those who meet the criteria for them.

The free visits see Cheshire firefighters and advocates provide far more than the traditional fire safety and smoke alarm advice.

As well as winter warmth safety and atrial fibrillation training, they have received additional training to provide advice on slips, trips and falls prevention during Safe and Well Visits.

The visits also offer additional support to those who wish to stop smoking or taking drugs or reduce their alcohol consumption.

For more information about Safe and Well Visits and smoke alarms visit CFRS’ website at

www.cheshirefire.gov.uk

.