Family Fun Day to promote home safety

Published on 23 March 2018

23 March 2018

Home safety will be the focus of a free Family Fun Day in Whanganui this Saturday, 24 March.

The Family Fun Day at Springvale Stadium is an initiative of Safer Whanganui, a coalition of agencies and groups working together to promote community safety and to reduce harm in the Whanganui District.

Ten organisations will be represented at the 10.00am-2.00pm event, including Safekids Aotearoa, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Civil Defence, Public Health, Police and Sport Whanganui.

“There will be a fun atmosphere with a bouncy castle, lots of games, activities and interactive displays but with a serious message about keeping your family safe,” says Lauren Tamehana, Safer Whanganui Manager.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand will have virtual reality glasses so people can see what it is like in a fire, Police will have a display focused on preventing accidents in the home driveway and Sport Whanganui will provide some bikes for people to have a go at the Springvale Bike Park.

Safekids Aotearoa will provide a ‘safety whare’ which looks like a real home but has digital, interactive and artistic demonstrations, including how to prevent falls and burns, drowning, poisoning and swallowing of button batteries.

“We invite whānau to visit the Safekids Aotearoa whare, to touch, experience, have a conversation and take away important lessons on what they can do to prevent children from being seriously injured in their own homes,” says Mrs Tamehana.

 “We have a competition running with all of the answers displayed at each of the sites and there will be free sausages, fruit and water for everyone. Last year more than 1500 people attended the event and we are hoping for an even greater turn-out this Saturday.”