Hot messages as fire station opens its doors (From Keighley News)

Hot messages as fire station opens its doors

11:30am Friday 3rd July 2009

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Communities from across Keighley have banded together to learn important lessons on staying danger-free this summer.

More than 600 people went to Keighley Fire Station on Sunday to listen to messages about fire, road and water safety while enjoying some fun in the sun.

Joining forces with Keighley firefighters to get the word across were St John Ambulance, Worth Valley First Responders, Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team and the RNLI.

But visitors also had the pleasure of tasting some authentic pizza and pasta dishes made by Keighley Italian Community Association.

And children were treated to activities such as face painting, sumo wrestling, bouncy castles and art thanks to the Extended Schools Play Rangers and Hainworth and Highfield community centres.

Red Watch manager and event organiser Warren Ellison said he was really pleased with how well the venture — the first “safety day” of its kind in five years — had gone.

He said: “It was absolutely fantastic, we had no idea it would be so popular.

“The event was as much about community cohesion and a fun day as it was about getting across messages about safety.

“It brought different sections of the community together in one place that might not have usually mixed. “And in the longer term if there is community cohesion and social activity in Keighley there is less chance that we get arson attacks and kids burning things for fun — so it is all worth it.”

Mr Ellison added that nearly 100 people had requested home fire risk assessments on the day.

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