Safety centre benefits from equipment upgrade

The centre on Vauxhall Road in Birmingham’s Eastside is run by West Midlands Fire Service, and provides essential safety information and life skills to 11,000 children every year.

Youngsters can experience real-life situations but in a safe environment. The scenarios include electrical safety, water safety, road safety, as well as how to prevent or escape from a fire.

Newly-installed effects consist of a bright strobe light, sounds and smoke, which are set off when someone tries to reach inside the centre’s mock substation to fetch a mobile phone.

“We’ve had an electricity substation scenario since we opened in 2008,” said Rob Hattersley, centre manager. “The special effects have made a real difference, and help the children better understand the potential dangers of electrical equipment.”

A new substation housing and transformer were also installed, by local operational team members.

“The realistic equipment combined with the special effects really hits the message home," said Jocelyn Honeywood, Western Power Distribution’s Education Liaison Officer. "Keeping people safe is our number one priority.”