Exeter pupils take home gas safe message
More than 60 pupils from Exeter’s Pinhoe Primary School have taken home important gas safety information after a ‘Safety Seymour’ visit from Wales & West Utilities.
The gas pipeline and emergency service spent time in the school delivering sessions to help drive home the simple steps people can take to stay safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide. The events were part of the company’s ‘Safety Seymour’ programme, which is aimed specifically at six and seven-year olds, and features an interactive day with games, drama and craft to raise awareness of the dangers carbon monoxide can pose in homes. It was delivered by Wales & West Utilities Gas Safety Ambassadors.
As part of the day, the ambassadors explained what gas does in the home and how it gets there. They described what Wales & West Utilities do to make sure people continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply, as well as the steps they should take if they were to smell gas or suspect CO poisoning. Pupils were then encouraged to learn the national gas emergency number – 0800 111 999.
Victoria Ibbeson, Year 2 teacher at Pinhoe Primary School, said: “Year 2 loved having Wales & West Utilities in for the day. They really enjoyed learning about Safety Seymour and how he can help protect our homes against carbon monoxide.
“Some of the children have already begun to take him home and check their appliances. The day proved really valuable and important lessons have been learnt.”
Louise Alfaresi is Procurement and Records Management Officer and a Gas Safety Ambassador at Wales & West Utilities and delivered the event. She said:
“We were delighted to visit Pinhoe Primary and were pleased to see so many pupils engage get involved learning about gas safety. As a company we’re always working hard to help keep the communities we serve safe and warm as well as raising awareness of the deathly dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
“It was great to communicate with large numbers of young children and we now urge them to take this important information back to their families and loved ones.”
Wales & West Utilities has recently completed a gas pipe upgrade scheme in the Saxon Avenue area of Pinhoe which saw the team work for five weeks to upgrade 190 metres of old metal pipes to new longer-lasting plastic ones. This work not only keeps the gas flowing safely and reliably today, but it also helps make sure the gas network is fit for the future and can play its part in delivering reliable and affordable green energy.
Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, takes pride in serving Wales and the south west of England. If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night.
The company also has a multi-million pound, 30-year gas pipe investment programme which began in 2002. Old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are being upgraded with new long-lasting plastic pipes with a lifespan of more than 80 years, to make sure homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply now and in the future.
If you’d like a visit from Wales & West Utilities Gas Safety Ambassadors, contact them using: Engagement@wwutilities.co.uk
