Schoolchildren were bowled over in the county fire safety quiz run by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.
A total of 48 youngsters from 12 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 eleven and twelve-year-olds had won competitions at their individual schools after quick-fire questions on all aspects of safety.
The annual “Be Cool Be Safe” 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, more than 2,400 year 7 pupils from a dozen schools have been brushing up on their safety skills. They have learned how to spot dangers in the home, the importance of not overloading sockets and that the crime of arson stays on your criminal record for life.
Jonathan Boyle, deputy head teacher at Madeley Academy and this year’s winning school, said: “We take our attitude towards safeguarding our children in all aspects of their life. Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service have worked in collaboration with Madeley Academy for many years and the impact of their work with us cannot be underestimated.
“The annual quiz and night out for winners not only profiles the necessary learning at school but impacts positively on families, the community and their lives for life”
Organiser Charlie Cartwright, an on-call Watch Manager and the youth officer within the prevention team, said: “The young people had a great time at the bowling alley in Telford. This was their prize for winning the quiz at their school.
“Through this competition, thousands of schoolchildren have learned potentially lifesaving information. It is an excellent way of teaching life skills to young people who will hopefully keep much of the information to ensure they stay safe.”
He praised the Ten Pin bowling alley for providing the prize in recognition of the children’s effort.
The schools taking part were: The Grange, Sundorne School and Priory School, Shrewsbury; The Marches, Oswestry; Abraham Darby Academy, Madeley Academy, Hadley Learning Community, Holy Trinity Academy, Telford Park, Telford Langley, Telford Priory and the Charlton School, all from Telford.
