The Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority, SPSA, has organised a special event at Abu Shagara Park on Friday evening, in collaboration with the Sharjah Municipality and sponsored by Mega Mall, for Gulf Child Day, which is celebrated by the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf on 15th January each year.

The event, which included children of all ages, featured an interactive workshop on "Salama and Hamoud," the two characters used by the authority to send messages out to young people. Salama represents a positive personality that complies with safety and security rules. Her brother, Hamoud, represents a negative personality who does not respect these rules. Salama tries to explain the rules and teach him how important it is to preserve his safety.

Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the SPSA, said that Gulf Child Day is an occasion to remind the public about children’s rights in general and to highlight the UAE’s efforts in protecting them and enhancing their safety procedures. He pointed out that the Prevention and Safety Authority is keen to work and co-operate with all government agencies to launch awareness initiatives to achieve this goal.

It is essential to familiarise children with the safety and security rules of their location to establish practices that focus on the prevention and precautions necessary to reduce any risk of potential danger or injuries. It is also important to focus on the role of parents and teachers to encourage children to adopt behaviours that ensure the safety of the society and its members, he added.