Walk on the Safe Side - Girlguiding UK

<strong>Walk</strong> on the Safe SideGirlguiding has teamed up with Scotia Gas Networks to bring you this greatbadge support resource. Packed full of helpful information and fun activities, itwill help you on your way to achieving your Active response badge.As a Guide you’re becoming more independent and making more of your owndecisions. This also means taking more responsibility for keeping yourself safe.Knowing what to do in an emergency is a really good way of showing that youtake safety seriously and you can be trusted to look after yourself and others.Use the information and activities here to help you complete clause six of yourActive response badge:‘Know how and where to turn off the gas, electricity and water. Explain whenyou might need to do this and what you would do next.’© The Guide Association 2013 www.girlguiding.org.uk <strong>Walk</strong> on the Safe Side

Part 1: The factsRead the facts about the dangers of gas, electricity and water in buildings.Then do the ‘Switch off!’ activity on page 4.Gas: What a stink!Natural gas is a source of power for things like cookersor heating and hot water systems. It is a ‘fossil fuel’created under the ground when dead plants andanimals decay. Natural gas doesn’t smell of anything,but gas companies add a horrible smell to it so that ifyou have a leak in your home, you will know at once!Why is it dangerous?Gas can ignite (catch fire) very easily,so if leaking gas comes into contactwith a flame or spark, it can start a fire.How do we keep safe?If you smell gas, follow these top tips.Do Turn off the gas supply, if you know where the gas meter is (see ‘Switch off! on page 4). Make sure any gas appliances are turned off. If there is a smell inside the building, open windows and doors to get rid of the gas. Call the National Gas Emergency Number on 0800 111 999. This is an all-year-round,24-hour number.Don’t Go looking for the gas meter if you don’t know where it is. Operate any electrical switches. Turning a switch on or off could ignite escaping gas. Enter a cellar if you smell gas, even if the gas meter is located in the cellar. Smoke or use any naked flames.Electricity: What’s the buzz?Electricity is a kind of energy that powers lots ofthings around our homes. Think about all theelectricity you have used today, or even just in yourmeeting. Did you watch TV, turn on the lights, usethe toaster or play a computer game?Why is it dangerous?Electricity travels along wires andcables, but it can also travel throughpeople. If it goes through your bodyit could give you a burn or anelectric shock. A mild electric shockwill feel tingly and make you jump,but a severe one can stop the heartand cause death. Electricity canalso start fires if not used safely.© The Guide Association 2013 www.girlguiding.org.uk <strong>Walk</strong> on the Safe Side2

How do we keep safe?These tips will help you to use electricity safely.Do Always unplug your charger from the socket after you’ve finished charging yourmobile phone, MP3 player or hair straightener. This will reduce the risk of fire.Don’t Plug too many appliances into the same socket – it can get too hot and maycause a fire. Stick anything into the holes of a socket, other than a plug of course! Use a plug if you can see the wires or scorch marks – this plug is faulty andwill need to be replaced. Touch someone who has had an electric shock because you might get onetoo. Get help right away by calling 999. Mix electricity and water - they are not friends! This includes not usingelectrical equipment when your hands are wet; you could get an electric shock. Touch or use any pole to make contact with overhead wires or cables exposedin the ground. Enter an electricity substation or any building or area displaying ‘DangerElectricity’ signs (these will be yellow signs with black writing).Water: Don’t be a drip!Water comes into buildings through pipes,and can be stored in tanks. A leaky pipe ortank can cause an indoor flood.How do we keep safe?If there is a water leak...Do Turn off the water supply at the stopvalve (see ‘Switch off!’ on page 4). Call a plumber.Don’t Touch any electrical switches nearthe leak.Why is it dangerous?A water leak in a building cancause damage to the buildingitself and the things inside. Aserious leak could put people atrisk, for example from a ceilingcollapsing or even fromdrowning. However, even a smallleak must be stoppedimmediately in case water leaksinto the electrical system. Watercould complete an electricalcircuit, causing danger from firesor electric shocks.© The Guide Association 2013 www.girlguiding.org.uk <strong>Walk</strong> on the Safe Side3

Switch off!In an emergency, such as a gas leak, a water leakor an electrical problem, you may need to turn offthe power or water supply to the building. Knowinghow to do this is a great way to keep yourselvessafe, at home or in your meeting place.You will need• Paper and pens• An adult to help you find the waterand power suppliesWhat to do1. Draw a plan of your meeting place. Show the different rooms and the doorsand windows.2. Ask your Leader to show you where to turn off the gas, electricity and watersupplies to the building. Mark these on your plan. If there is room, add notes abouthow to turn off the supplies.Gas: The gas meter may be inside the building or in a box outside. There will bea handle on the pipe near the meter; turn this handle a quarter turn in eitherdirection to shut the gas supply off.Electricity: The electrical power panel is a box which contains switches that canturn the electricity supply to the building on or off. To switch it off, flip the levercalled ‘Main’ to the ‘Off’ position. This will cut the electricity supply to all the othercircuits, turning it off in the whole building.Water: The stop valve for the water supply is usually located under the kitchensink, in an airing cupboard or sometimes under the floorboards near the frontdoor. To turn off the water flow, turn the lever clockwise. It will take a couple ofminutes before the flow stops completely.3. If you like, you can add some more information about safety and maybe someemergency contact numbers (see page 7). Put the plan up on a wall where anyonewho uses the building can see it.4. Now, each draw a plan of your home. When you get home, ask an adult to show youwhere to turn off the energy and water supplies. Mark them on the plan in the sameway as you did for your meeting place. Keep it somewhere handy for everyone in yourhome to use.UpGas MeterPantryMeetingroomElectrical PanelWater Stop ValveWindowsKitchenSeatingareaDiningareaHallFrontdoorPorchW/C4© The Guide Association 2013 www.girlguiding.org.uk <strong>Walk</strong> on the Safe Side

Part 2: Carbon monoxideIt’s really important to know about the dangers of another gas,carbon monoxide. Read the facts and have a go at the activity.Carbon monoxide:The silent killerCarbon monoxide can be releasedfrom fossil fuel burning appliances(like stoves, fires, boilers, cookers orwater heaters) which haven’t beenfitted properly, are badly repaired orpoorly maintained, or have blockedchimneys or vents. It can also beproduced in camping environments,around fires, lamps, lanterns,barbecues or in other situationswhere gas, oil, wood etc are burned.Why is it dangerous?Carbon monoxide (or CO) is called the ‘silent killer’: it hasno smell, no taste and no colour, but it is very poisonous.All these factors make it a very sneaky and dangerous gaswhich can kill without warning.• Around 40 people in the UK die every year fromcarbon monoxide poisoning.• Hundreds more suffer ill-effects including tiredness,dizziness, headaches and feeling sick.• Elderly and young people are at higher risk thanhealthy adults.CO-Gas Safety, 2012: www.co-gassafety.co.uk/index.htmlHow do we keep safe?Find out where the gas appliances are in your meeting place,or at home. These should be checked each year by a GasSafe registered engineer, who will also make sure that ventsare clear from blockages. A carbon monoxide detector shouldbe fitted and tested regularly. Find out who organises thesetests in your meeting place or at home and remind them to getthe test carried out for this year if it hasn’t already been done.CO campaignYou will need• Smartphone or video camera (optional)What to doThere is still little awareness about the dangers of carbonmonoxide. As a unit you can spread the word about this ‘silentkiller’ and help others understand how to protect themselves intheir homes and meeting places.Design a TV advert that tells people about the dangers of carbonmonoxide gas and the steps they can take to protect themselvesand their families. Maybe you can act out your idea for the unit?Or film it on a smartphone or video camera? Think about otherways you can get the word out and expand the campaign toreach more people, perhaps by making a YouTube video?© The Guide Association 2013 www.girlguiding.org.uk <strong>Walk</strong> on the Safe Side5

Part 3: The fun stuff!These activities will help you really get to grips with safety –and they’re a lot of fun too!You will need• Shoebox lid• Pen• 1m florist wire (bare)• Ruler• Scissors• 150cm thin electrical wire• Small buzzer or LED light• 9v battery• 2 paper clips• Sticky tapeWhat to do1. Use a pen to punch two small holes in the top of the shoebox lid, directly opposite each other.2. Cut off a piece of craft wire about 18cm long. Make a loop the size of a 10p at one end, but don’tfully close the loop. This will be the wand you use to travel around the wire loops.3. Use the scissors to cut the 150cm strip of electrical wire into three equal 50cm lengths. Carefullyuse the scissors to remove the insulation from both ends of each piece of wire.4. Take one 50cm strip of electrical wire and twist the exposed wires from one end around the bottomof your wand. Attach the other end of the electrical wire to your buzzer or light.5. Attach your two paper clips to the terminals of the battery.6. Take the second strip of electrical wire. Attach the exposed wires at one end to the battery and atthe other to the buzzer or light.7. Bend your long piece of craft wire into a series of ‘S’ shaped loops, making sure the bends are nottoo close together. This will form the wire track which your wand will travel around.8. Insert the ends of the bent craft wire through the holes in the shoebox lid. Bend the ends of thewire on the underside of the lid and tape one side down.9. Take your third piece of electrical wire. Attach one end of the exposed wires to the bent wireunderneath the lid and tape it down. Twist the other end on to the second paper clip on your battery.10. Put the loop of your wand around the ‘track’ and follow the wand around the loops without touchingthem. If the wand touches the wire loops, the buzzer will sound or the light will turn on. This happensbecause you are completing the electrical circuit. If it were a real circuit in a building, and a personaccidentally completed the circuit, they would suffer an electric shock.Take it furtherHave a competition to seewho can get furthest alongthe wire without soundingthe buzzer! Or build twosets and race!© The Guide Association 2013 www.girlguiding.org.uk <strong>Walk</strong> on the Safe Side6

Emergency tree!After completing this resource you will have a betteridea of what to do in an emergency – but others maynot. Make an emergency tree with all the numbersyou and your family might need in an emergency.What to do1. Make a list of all the emergency numbers that youmight need to know at home. On the right are a fewnumbers to get you started. Electricity and wateremergency numbers are regional – find the numbersfor your area in the phone book and add them toyour list. If you are doing this with your Patrol, see ifanyone else has any numbers you have missed.2. Write your name and address at the bottom ofyour piece of card. This will become the base of yourtree trunk.3. For each emergency number on your phone treedraw a branch from your name. Write the emergencynumber, and what it is for, in a leaf on the end of thebranch.4. Decorate your emergency tree with the collagematerials – but make sure you can still read thenumbers clearly!5. When you have finished, cover the card with stickybackedplastic or laminate it, so it will last longer.6. Take your finished emergency tree home and putit in a place where all your family members can seeit, by the house phone or on the fridge.You will need• Sheet of paper• Pens and pencils• List of emergency numbers, egpolice/fire/ambulance/coastguard(999), National Gas Emergencynumber (0800 111 999), nonemergencypolice number (101)• Local phone directory• Piece of card each• Collage materials• Sticky-backed plastic or laminator• ScissorsThe safety actNow you’re gas, water, electricity and carbon monoxide safety experts! It’stime to get creative and spread the safety message to others.First, pick a specific safety topic you feel strongly about. Then decide howyou want to get your message across, and who your audience will be.Perhaps you could act out a play for young children, showing what to do inan emergency gas situation or how to avoid getting an electric shock?Maybe you could design a safety information leaflet, or write a speech aboutthe dangers of carbon monoxide to give at a community meeting or event.Now get your safety message out there!© The Guide Association 2013 www.girlguiding.org.uk <strong>Walk</strong> on the Safe Side7