School winners of fire safety competition treated to visit to New Cross Fire Station
BY TOBY PORTER
toby@slpmedia.co.uk
Schoolchildren from Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham College visited New Cross fire station after the school was picked as the winner of a fire safety competition held by Lewisham Homes in partnership with the London Fire Brigade.
Year 5 children from different Lewisham primary schools were asked to design a poster illustrating a fire escape plan for their family home and nine-year-old Kiara Aisa Hanekom was chosen as the winner by Lewisham Homes’ fire safety team and chief executive Margaret Dodwell.
The winning school was treated to a visit to New Cross fire station, where they got to spray a fire hose and tour a fire engine.
Ms Dodwell said: “We were very impressed with all of the entries but Kiara’s in particular stood out to us.
Not only did she include important information about knowing who to call in an emergency, making sure fire alarms are working, and the dangers of playing with fire at home – but her poster was bright, colourful and creative.
“We hope that all of the children who took part continue to put their fire safety knowledge to good use.”
Kiara’s class teacher, Leanne Hamilton, said: “I was really delighted that a child from my class had not only won competing against the other Year 5 class in our school, but that she had won the competition for the whole of Lewisham.”
Matt Barnett, deputy manager of the London Fire Brigade’s Education Team, said: “Our core workshop covers fire safety in the home, including the most common causes of domestic fires and how to get out safely if a fire starts.
“We’re pleased that Kiara was able to design a poster that clearly highlights these points after our work with her class.”