There will be 324 more Clued Up Kids this week, after a two-day programme at the Waitaki Recreation Centre.

Clued Up Kids has been running for more than 10 years, and this year involved 11 different organisations or agencies that have key safety messages, Public Health nurse and event coordinator Fiona Stratford says.

“So the messages or the objective for the kids is to become more aware of their personal safety and learn how to react in any dangerous situation. Then they know what their role is and the role emergency services play in the community.”

Waitaki District Council road safety coordinator Carrie Hamilton talks to Ardgowan School pupils about keeping safe around buses. Photos: Ashley Smyth

Year 6 pupils from as far away as Omarama and Otematata, and from Glenavy to Hampden, took part on Tuesday and Wednesday (August 6 and 7) this week, and Fiona says it also allows the children to learn who the key people and agencies are in an emergency, and helps to foster relationships.

Each school attends a half-day session, and the event is funded by Emergency Management Otago (EMO), Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora, and Network Waitaki.

The other groups involved this year are Police, Sport Waitaki, Vetlife, Waitaki District Council Animal Management, Engage Safety (gun safety advocates), Five Forks Young Farmers, Enhance (occupational therapy), St John, Waitaki District Council Road Safety and Waitaki Irrigators Collective. Other years Fire ad Emergency and Surf Life Saving have also been involved.

Megan Holden of St John In Schools, talks to Pembroke School pupils about CPR and how to use a defibrillator.

“Lots of people are in paid employment, but we rely on volunteers too. So there's a handful of volunteers too that donate their time and expertise,” Fiona says.

Each station has a key message which is “drummed into the kids” and at the end of their session they are asked to recall and yell them out, she says.

Matt Parsons from Five Forks Young Farmers Club talks bike and farm safety to Pembroke School pupils.