MANAGING risk will be the subject of a day-long seminar at Keyll Darree at the Noble's Hospital site in Braddan next week.
The Manx Accident Prevention Forum is holding the event which will encourage debate and discussion on the topic.
The forum is a multi-agency group that works together to co-ordinate and generate accident prevention initiatives.
Titled Life: A Risky Business, it will focus on Children and Risk in the morning session starting at 9am and finish in the afternoon with an Adults and Risk session starting at 1.15pm.
Delegates may attend for a full or half day depending on their areas of interest.
Health Minister David Anderson MHK said: "People can often bemoan the era of health and safety we currently live in and yet taking simple, sensible, practical steps to avoid accidents, particularly for children and those in vulnerable groups, can make all the difference.
"The word 'accident' covers a wide range of circumstances and I think people need to realise that we’re not just talking about scraped knees – serious medical need can arise from circumstances that can be avoided.
"I would invite anyone with an interest to enquire about attending the seminar."
The full day will involve an interesting mix of speakers and practical workshops from a variety of diverse presenters - from the Fire and Rescue Service to Road Safety and the Children’s Centre to the Accident and Emergency Department at Noble's Hospital.
Senior health improvement officer for the Public Health Directorate Michelle Clague said: "This exciting one day seminar will give the public and professionals the opportunity to hear about risks present in everyday situations and the best ways to manage these risks.
"It will also promote some lively discussion with regard to how much risk taking is acceptable and how we learn to take or avoid risks as a child and on through adulthood."
Playwork development officer from the Children's Centre Chris Gregory, who will be speaking at the event, said: "Recent statistics have shown that as many as 9 out of 10 children don't play outside on a regular basis.
"What happened to the halcyon days of children playing on the streets and climbing trees?
"I'll be discussing why and when this change occurred and what impact it has had on the lives of children and further discussing what we as a community can do to support children’s outdoor play."
Meanwhile commercial development officer for St John Ambulance Phil Bennett said: "St John Ambulance is committed to improving first aid provision in the Isle of Man.
"This seminar will give us the chance to teach people Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), a life saving skill, so that they can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved."
The Road Safety team will also be present at the event, raising awareness through an in-car Safety workshop.
Research in the UK has shown that 8 out of 10 child safety seats are incorrectly fitted and this seminar will help to raise awareness of safety seat requirements and how to fit them correctly.
The seminar and workshops will be free of charge and are open to both professionals and members of the public.
Anyone who wants further information or who plans to attend should call 642639 to book a place or visit www.accidentprevention.gov.im where an application form can be downloaded and a full programme can be viewed.
