Uh-Ohs Characters Teach Kids About Safety

Most of your kids are out of school for the summer or at least on break, but that doesn't mean they can't learn. The National Fire Protection Association has a new way children can learn about water, fire and bike safety and have fun - on-line and out of the heat. It’s based on characters called the “Uh-Ohs.” The site is geared for kindergarten to third-graders.
Northwest Elementary teacher Dianne Reynolds and her daughter Allison put the site to the test for us. Allison loved the colorful characters. She was able to watch safety videos and try to navigate her character out of a burning home. She found that difficult. Dianne says the family just moved to a new home, so it serves as a reminder for the family to revisit their escape plans. "We probably need to do a little bit more at home to educate her as far as feeling out the doorknobs and things like that. I think some things you just take for granted," says Reynolds.
The one thing Dianne didn’t like was that some of the games are inaccessible unless you have a character “code” (see below). The NFPA is hoping that fire departments will purchase the characters (which works like a Webkins toy) and give them out to classes. You can purchase them online – thirty for $38.
Nonetheless, Dianne says she will bookmark the site use it in her second grade class next year.
http://www.nfpa4kids.org/

From: The National Fire Protection Association:

NFPA's new web-based activities for kids has everyone saying "Uh-Oh"


Kids help characters learn important safety messages

May 27, 2008 - The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) introduced a new cast of characters to help kids learn valuable safety lessons in a fun and lively web environment. The Uh-Ohs(tm) - brightly colored block-shaped critters - are exceptionally cute, but the poor little things just can't seem to grasp the importance of safety, which leads them and their fans saying "Uh-Oh" as they get into all sorts of trouble. "Reaching kids with important safety messages in an era when kids are bombarded with different media is challenging. The Uh-Ohs figurines are a perfect reminder for kids to be careful and watch out for dangers,"
said Lorraine Carli, NFPA vice president of communications. "The Uh-Ohs provide an entertaining way for kids to learn some important lessons while having fun." Kids can visit http://www.nfpa4kids.org to experience the whimsical world of the Uh-Ohs. NFPA expects fire departments and other fire safety educators throughout the country will purchase and distribute the Uh-Oh figurines as another way to ensure kids are safe from fire and other hazards in their community. Interactive online games give kids the opportunity to learn about safety as they take action to help the Uh-Ohs make smart decisions and stay out of trouble. Kids are currently helping the Uh-Ohs learn about topics such as such as fire and burn safety, bike safety, and water safety. The figurines come with a secret code that is unique to each Uh-Oh and allows access into the Uh-Ohs' online world. The world that the Uh-Ohs live in is filled with activities that keep kids busy and where they can put their safety knowledge to the test online.

For a demonstration and to enter the Uh-Ohs' world, visit http://www.nfpa4kids.org .
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NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. Visit NFPA's Web site at http://www.nfpa.org .