YOUNG people from across the borough will soon be facing a series of pretend perils in a community safety initiative that last year proved to be lifesaving.

Think Safe, organised by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, teaches students about issues such as fire safety, railway safety, first aid and personal safety.

Following the 2018 event, one of the young attendees faced a real-life crisis when their father had a seizure.

Due to what they learned at Think Safe, the student was able to keep a clear head and their quick actions in dialling 999 and calmly following instructions helped save their father’s life.

Around 2,000 Year Six students from 40 schools across the borough are expected to attend this year’s Think Safe, which is being held at Bramley Training Area for two weeks from Monday, 17 June.

At the event, held annually to support the transition to secondary school, the students’ knowledge and instincts will be tested through a series of interactive scenarios run by local agencies.

They will learn about fire safety from Hampshire Fire and Rescue, personal safety from Hampshire Constabulary, road safety from drivers and trainers from Sainsbury’s depot, rail safety from Network Rail.

Community safety patrol officers from the council and Safer North Hampshire representatives will be on hand to teach them about cyber-safety and they will learn about mental wellbeing from Southern Health.

The council’s dog warden will also run a session on staying safe around dogs and first aid training will be available.

Cabinet Member for communities, culture and partnerships Councillor Simon Bound: “The lessons and skills which these young people will learn during Think Safe will hopefully stay with them for many years, and may even ultimately mean the difference between life and death.

“I hope that all of those taking part will go away feeling better equipped to cope with some of life’s challenges, and that they enjoy the experience.”

Think Safe courses will also take place in Rushmoor and Hart, organised by the Safer North Hampshire team which is comprised of the community safety teams of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Hart District Council and Rushmoor Borough Council.