The Popular Choice Awards

According to research, an average of 76,000 children below 14 years of age require treatment due to injuries suffered in their own homes. 40% of them constitute children below the age of five. The Skanska Residential Development Poland team, alarmed by such news, decided to launch an educational campaign “Safe at home”. It is a local social and educational campaign held by Skanska since 2016. Its aim is to make children aware of the principles of household OHS. During the campaign, Skanska organizes theatrical performances in selected schools across Warsaw that are located in close proximity to the company’s investments. Children that take part in the shows have the opportunity to learn the rules of household OHS, get to know which situations might cause accidents in the home and learn how to prevent them, understand why they cannot let strangers into their homes or leave a mess on the floors, how to call the paramedics and fire department as well as remembering the general emergency number – 112.

The performances constitute an innovative formula prepared by actors from Studio Yapa in co-operation with the developer. By watching the adventures of cartoon-like characters – Mrs. Hedwig Sloppy-Mess, and her neighbor Mr. Tomasz Ruler and Leon the Naughty Cat – children are able to learn what causes accidents at home and how to prevent them. The shows are performed in English-speaking institutions as well.

With a focus on the purpose of the campaign, Skanska has developed educational materials dedicated to children - including reflectors, first aid kits and fridge magnets. This year, Skanska is providing children with a new educational tool – coloring books which include the most important messages that children ought to bear in mind after the shows. All books were well-designed and evaluated by both tutors and specialists in household OHS. Apart from educational value, the coloring books are also a good form of entertainment for children.

Since the beginning of the campaign, Skanska has trained over 3,000 children and provided all schools with reflectors, first aid kits and magnets with emergency numbers as well as –for the first time this year – educational coloring books.