Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) · 5th Year · Safety and Protection · Summer Term

Responding to Unsafe Situations

Practise strategies for responding to situations that feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or worrying, including the 'Say No, Get Away, Tell Someone' rule.

TL;DR:This topic gives pupils the power to be helpers in a crisis, teaching them practical skills to respond safely and effectively in an emergency. It's about building confidence and knowing exactly who to call and what to say when it matters most.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• SPHE Curriculum: Myself - Safety and protection

About This Topic

This topic, 'Responding to Unsafe Situations', is a critical component of the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum for Fifth Class, aligning directly with the 'Myself' strand and the 'Safety and protection' strand unit. The focus is on equipping pupils with practical, life-saving skills and knowledge. It moves beyond theoretical understanding to empower children to act responsibly and effectively in common emergency scenarios. The learning is designed to build confidence, reduce anxiety, and foster a sense of personal agency, ensuring pupils know how to access help for themselves and others.

In the Irish context, this involves specific instruction on contacting the emergency services using 112 or 999, and understanding the vital information required, including the importance of an Eircode if known. The topic also addresses fire safety at home, a key risk area, by teaching preventative measures and clear, actionable steps for evacuation. By encouraging the development of a family emergency plan, the curriculum extends this learning into the home, promoting valuable conversations between pupils and their families and reinforcing the idea that safety is a shared responsibility.

Key Questions

1. Explain each step of the 'Say No, Get Away, Tell Someone' safety strategy.
2. Identify a list of trusted adults you can talk to if you feel unsafe.
3. Analyse a scenario and decide on the best course of action.

Learning Objectives

• Recall the emergency service numbers in Ireland are 112 and 999.
• Identify the key pieces of information to provide to an emergency operator.
• Outline the 'Get Out, Stay Out, Call 999' procedure for a house fire.
• Design a basic fire escape plan for their home, including two routes of escape and a meeting point.
• Justify the importance of having a pre-agreed family emergency plan.

Key Vocabulary

Emergency	A serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation that needs immediate action.
Operator	The person who answers an emergency call and arranges for the correct help to be sent.
First Responder	A person with special training who is among the first to arrive at an emergency, like a paramedic, Garda, or firefighter.
Eircode	The unique 7-character postcode for every address in Ireland, which helps emergency services find locations quickly.
Assembly Point	A safe, designated place to meet outside after leaving a building during an emergency like a fire.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

You need credit or a SIM card in your mobile to call 999.

What to Teach Instead

Emergency calls to 112 or 999 are always free and can be made from any mobile phone, even if it has no credit, no SIM card, or is locked.

Common Misconception

You should hide under the bed or in a wardrobe if there's a fire.

What to Teach Instead

You must never hide during a fire, as it makes it very difficult for firefighters to find you. The rule is 'Get Out, Stay Out, and Call 999'. If you can't get out, go to a room with a window, close the door, and signal for help.

Common Misconception

Only grown-ups are allowed to call the emergency services.

What to Teach Instead

Anyone, including children, can and should call for help if there is a real emergency. The operators are trained to speak with children and will help you.

Active Learning Ideas

Role Play

Making the Call: Emergency Role-Play

In pairs, one pupil acts as the caller and the other as the emergency operator. Using a toy phone or just pretending, the caller practises dialling 112/999 and clearly stating the problem, their location, and their name, using a prompt card for support.

20 min·Pairs

Role Play

Our Family Fire Escape Plan

Pupils are given a template to draw a floor plan of their home. They must map at least two escape routes from their bedroom and identify a safe family meeting point outside, which they should then discuss with their parents at home.

30 min·Individual

Role Play

Emergency Kit Investigators

In small groups, pupils brainstorm and list essential items for a family 'go-bag' or emergency kit. Each group presents their list to the class, justifying why each item is important for a situation like a power cut or evacuation.

25 min·Small Groups

Real-World Connections

• Knowing how to call for an ambulance if a grandparent or parent falls and gets hurt.
• Using the family fire escape plan if the smoke alarm goes off in the middle of the night.
• Checking the batteries in the smoke alarms at home with a family member.
• Spotting fire exit signs and routes when in public places like the cinema or a shopping centre.
• Helping to pack a first-aid kit for the car before going on a family holiday.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Observe pupils during the emergency call role-play, using a checklist to note if they state the emergency, location, and their name.

Quick Check

Pupils create an information poster titled 'What to Do in a Fire'. It should be assessed for correctly sequencing the key steps: Get Out, Stay Out, Call 999.

Quick Check

Pupils complete a 'confidence scale' from 1 to 5, rating how prepared they feel to react in an emergency, both before and after the series of lessons.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I call 999 or 112 by accident?

Don't hang up. It's very important to stay on the line and tell the operator that you've made a mistake. This lets them know that there isn't a real emergency and they don't need to send help.

Which number should I use, 999 or 112?

Both numbers work perfectly in Ireland and connect to the exact same emergency call centre. 112 is the single emergency number for all of Europe, so it's a good one to remember if you travel.

What if I don't know my Eircode in an emergency?

An Eircode is the best way to pinpoint your location, but don't worry if you don't know it. Just give the operator your full address, the town, county, and any nearby landmarks you know, like a shop, church, or school.