20/10/03 - Katie Chemical at Carlisle College Creche

At 12.30 on Wednesday 22 October, `Katie Chemical’ visits children and staff at Carlisle College Creche to raise awareness of the ways to avoid injury to young children from handling dangerous substances.  The visit comes after the launch of a new campaign focusing on the careful handling of dangerous substances.  The campaign lasts throughout October and highlights the Council’s support for  `European Week for Safety and Health at Work’.  

`Katie Chemical’, the campaign mascot, introduced her attack on dangerous substances at a launch event two weeks ago when she prevented prizes to children who had a competition to raise awareness of every day dangers around the home.  The competitions were designed to encourage children to think about the safety of chemicals in their homes and schools   Katie also held a prize draw in supermarkets around the county.

County Councillor Jack Richardson, Cabinet spokesman for Community safety says,

“This is a very important campaign to raise awareness of the dangers involved in handling hazardous substances.  `Katie Chemical’ is the mascot and logo for the campaign and her visit to staff and children at the crèche will raise awareness of dangerous chemical handling.  Katie will be giving out home safety leaflets and stickers and the children have made a model of Katie in anticipation of her visit.  

One of Cumbria County Council’s key themes within the Corporate Strategy is to improve the safety and quality of people’s lives.  I am sure that Katie’s attack on dangerous chemicals will be successful in raising awareness and ensuring adults and children are safer in their home and work environment.”

Katie Chemical’s messages for keeping safe around dangerous substances are;

• Keep all medicines or chemicals in their original containers
• Teach children never to eat plants or berries without showing them to you and ensure you can recognise dangerous plants
• Store all household chemicals and cleaning products out of sight and reach of children in cupboards with child resistant catches
• Cosmetics and perfumes, cigarettes and alcohol, aromatherapy oils and mouthwashes can be harmful to children if swallowed.