Risk Watch Program

Fairfield County SAFE KIDS is proud to offer the Risk Watch Program developed by the National Fire Protection Agency. Risk Watch was developed to provide children and their families with the skills and knowledge necessary to help them make their homes and communities a safer place to live and play. The program addresses eight risk areas that include: motor vehicle safety, fire and burn prevention, choking/suffocation/strangulation prevention, poison prevention, fall prevention, firearm injury prevention, bike and pedestrian safety and water safety.

The program is ideally suited for the classroom environment and is a wonderful way for teachers to explain the importance of safety while the children have fun learning. The series is broken into five modules:

1. The first is for Pre K – Kindergarten and is designed in the “Storyteller” role. What better way to help young children understand the importance of safety. Students and teacher share stories using a variety of techniques such as role playing, songs, poems and finger plays to mention a few.

1. The second module for first and second graders uses a child natural curiosity by placing student in the role of a “Detective” as they probe the eight major risk areas they will apply critical thinking skills and learn how to spot and avoid potential danger.

2. Third and fourth graders get to become ace “Reporters” using the w's – who, what, when, where and why. They will write stories that highlight potential danger and engaged in brainstorming, role-playing, decoding safety messages and story analysis.

3. The “Promoters” module is for fifth and sixth graders. The students market safe behaviors to their peers. Students and teachers use advance communication skills to identify, research, create and promote safety messages. In a team learning environment children create and present infomercials for all eight-risk areas.

4. In grades seven and eight students assume the role of the “Coach,” becoming role models and advocates for safety in their own communities. Children engage in imaginative role-playing and problem solving to teach others how to identify safety hazards.

Fairfield County SAFE KIDS strongly endorses this program and would happy to assist anyone interested to starting the program in their community. You can download a 12-page brochure put out by the NFPA by going directly to NFPA's site to learn more about this program.