New Delhi, April 14, 2016 – Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pune Fire Department are collaborating with Safe Kids Foundation India (SKFI), a leading NGO, for a citywide fire safety awareness drive. The Honeywell-sponsored Safe Kids at Home program by SKFI is the knowledge partner for Fire Service Week, being observed from April 14-20. This unique collaboration marks how public – private partnerships are leading the way towards making Pune a model safe city, in line with the government’s 100 Smart Cities vision.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in 2014, Maharashtra accounted for the most number of deaths due to fire accidents (3,892), with maximum incidents (18.3 percent) reported in residential buildings. These statistics align with an IMRB study commissioned by SKFI in Pune. Per the report, 76,000 children under the age of 14 years suffered burn injuries that required medical attention in Pune in 2014. Of these, close to 3,000 children suffered third-degree burns. Distressingly, 64 percent of these injuries occurred at home.
Speaking at the launch of Fire Service Week, Shri Prashant Ranpise, the city’s Chief Fire Officer said, “While the department does its best to battle blazes and reduce losses during fire accidents, prevention is the best course of action. Throughout the Fire Service Week, we hope to encourage fire safety practices among city residents, and we appreciate the work done by SKFI with the Safe Kids at Home program.”
Fire safety messages and videos will be displayed at prominent public places, including hospitals, Pune railway station, malls and multiplexes. A citywide rally, street plays, community awareness drives, exhibitions, and distribution of pamphlets aim to educate citizens about fire hazards and preventive measures.
Fire Service Week is observed nationwide in remembrance of fire service personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and serves to raise public awareness on fire safety.
Funded by a Honeywell India grant, Safe Kids at Home is a home safety program to help prevent and reduce burns and scalds among children under 14 years old, in Pune. The program uses cutting-edge, experiential, and fun educational tools targeted at different age groups, to reach 325,000 children and 175,000 parents by 2018. To date, the program has covered 37,000 students across 175 schools.
About Safe Kids Foundation India (SKFI)
Safe Kids Foundation became a member of Safe Kids Worldwide in 2006 and works in close collaboration with Safe Kids Worldwide to improve the lives of children in India. SKFI works with non-profit organizations, governments and schools to promote awareness and teach that accidental deaths and injuries are preventable. Safe Kids Foundation has done extensive and commendable work in the field of road safety. Safe Kids’ “Walk This Way” pedestrian safety program was launched in Mumbai in 2007 to address pedestrian-related injuries to children. The program has expanded to two additional cities, Delhi in 2009 and Ahmedabad in 2010. From 2007 through 2016, more than 3000 schools and nearly 4.5 million children have been reached through education activities, playing a critical role in improving road safety for children in these cities. For more information refer to www.safekidsfoundation.org.