Schoolchildren were bowled over in the county fire safety quiz run by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.
A total of 32 youngsters from eight county schools won a meal and bowling sessions courtesy of the management at the Ten Pin bowling alley in Telford.
In teams of four, the 11 and 12-year-olds had won competitions at their individual schools after quick fire questions on all aspects of safety.
The annual quiz is organised by the brigade’s community fire safety department to encourage year 7 pupils to learn about fire safety and other important information on how to stay safe.
Over the past few weeks, hundreds of pupils from all eight schools have been researching facts, figures and expert advice compiled in the brigade’s “Be Cool Be Safe” magazine.
The children learned a host of facts and figures including what they should do in the event of a fire within their home. It has been identified that 55 per cent of people who die in house fires did not have working smoke alarms and that there are approximately 3,700 hoax fire calls in the UK each year.
Other safety aspects within the quiz included staying safe with fire, water, on the roads and railways, how to deal with bullying, facts on alcohol, drugs, smoking and what to do in an emergency.
Stephen Williams, a maths teacher at Abraham Darby Academy said: “The children enjoyed it and have found it very beneficial.”
Quiz organiser Charlie Cartwright, from the community fire safety team, said: “The young people enjoyed the evening at the bowling alley which was the prize for winning the quiz at their school.”
“Through this competition, hundreds of schoolchildren have learned potentially lifesaving information. It is an excellent way of teaching life skills to young people who will hopefully remember the information to ensure they stay safe.”
Charlie praised the Ten Pin bowling alley for providing the prize in recognition of the children’s effort.
The schools taking part were: Shrewsbury schools: The Grange and Belvidere, and Telford schools: Lakeside Academy, Abraham Darby Academy, Blessed Robert Johnson, Madeley Academy, Sutherland School and Hadley Learning Community.
