The Lloydminster Regional Health Foundation has launched a new kids safety program.
The program is called Heartbeat of the Community, and teaches 5th-grade students basic first aid and safety lessons in preparation of being left at home alone.
LRHF CEO Wendy Plandowski says she feels its important that children learn those skills at an early age.’
“That’s about the age where kids start to be left alone,” Plandowski said, “and we did talk to the school divisions and asked them where they felt that there was a gap. Right now, the kids in grade 10, in their wellness classes take some first aid. We just felt there might be some need in this age group to give them some important skills for that next stage in their life where they’re going to be given more responsibility.”
Plandowski also says the program will be beneficial to parents as well as students.
“As a parent, I know that the first time I left my kids home alone, it was very nerve-wracking. You don’t want them to start getting into trouble or anything like that… So this course covers all of those topics. It covers what to do if someone phones, what to do if someone comes to the door, how to keep yourself safe, what to do if there’s a first aid emergency, that kind of thing. So I think kids will benefit, but it will also give parents some peace of mind.”
Plandowski also says the program is already being taught in Lloydminster’s schools, and that she hopes to move into rural schools and home schools in the new year.
The foundation says the program has received funding and support from the Kiwanis Club, ASTEC Safety, Family and Community Support Services and the City of Lloydminster. The LRHF says they will use the money donated by the club to print the course booklets and get safety certification.
