STUDENTS IN HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TAUGHT TO THINK BEFORE THEY ACT

Students at Hemel Hempstead School have been taught how to think before they act as part of a safety road show organised by the Hemel Hempstead Safer Neighbourhoods team and Smart Risk – a charity established to help reduce the number of young people who can die or seriously injure themselves in the UK.

The road show took place at the school on Friday ( December 11th) and was attended by hundreds of pupils over two days.

The road show features videos and a speech from a ‘Smart Risk Hero /Survivor' who tells the pupils about how by not thinking about their actions it has resulted in life changing experiences for them.

Michael Buckley was 20 when he decided to jump off a 20 ft bridge into the River Thames to impress some girls after they had been drinking on a picnic in July 2008. Michael now says he did not think of the consequences of his actions and landed in less than a metre of water which broke his neck. After numerous operations and almost a year in hospital Michael said he was only able to start re-building his life together and the strains such an injury has not only on you as a patient but your friends and family too and the services that deal with you like the paramedics, the police and the nurses and doctors.

He said: “There is risk with everything in everyday life and risk can be fun, but please think about your actions and the consequences they can have on yourself and other people. If I can stop one of you seriously injuring or dying from a fatality because of your actions, then that is one less family who have to endure that pain. Please listen to the advice you are being given today.”

“Just remember that no matter what you are doing, assess the risks and buckle up – in a car or use the buckles on your safety harness or life jacket. Look first, - assess where you are going and look for potential dangers. Wear the Gear – make sure you use the safety equipment supplied to you. Get trained – if you are taking up a new hobby make sure you have the correct training for it. Drive sober- never drink and drive or operate machinery or take part in a dangerous activity when under the influences of alcohol.”

PC Gemma Beard from the Hemel Hempstead Safer Neighbourhoods team, who helped to organise the event, said: “From working closely with the schools and young people in the area it became clear that we could all do more to help young people stay safe and prevent themselves from serious injury or a fatality. Smart Risk are a wonderful charity who specialise in this area and we are delighted they came along as it has clearly made an impact on the pupils who we hope have learned something from today's experience.”

John Ross, Assistant Headteacher for Sixth Form at the school said: “I have a nightmare and that nightmare is that one day I come into school to hear that one of our pupils has been involved in a horrific accident which has life changing consequences, or a fatality. I hope that by taking care of yourselves and using the information you are given today you can greatly reduce the risk of this happening. We are privileged to welcome Smart Risk and the police here today to talk about staying safe and I think it has been beneficial to all concerned.”

December 2009