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Eagle Insurance Company, in its commitment as a socially responsible corporate citizen, has stepped into ensure that a high level of safety would be maintained during the Avurudhu season thereby minimising the number of accidents.

A public awareness campaign was launched on Wednesday to advise the public to be careful when firecrackers are lit since the cause of most accidents during the festive season is due to carelessness in lighting crackers. A special program is being implemented at regional level where the message will be conveyed to school children.

Eagle's record on creating safety awareness among the public is an impressive one. Over the past 12 years, Eagle Insurance has conducted highly successful awareness campaigns covering safety at home, at the workplace at play and on the road.

"Over the years, the company has been able to show the public that 96% accidents in factories are due to negligence, apathy, bad habits and wrong attitudes. We have proved that accidents can be prevented if sufficient awareness is created about risks, safety precautions and the benefits accrued from doing things the right way," said Deepal Sooriyaarachchi, Head of Personal Lines of Eagle Insurance.

Dr. Hector Weerasinghe, Director of the Accident Service of the Colombo National Hospital said the hospital has seen more than one million patients who have sought treatment at the Accident Service from 1991 to 2001.

Starting with the issue of a Road Safety Time Table for school children in 1990 and the production of home safety booklets written and illustrated by world renowned authoress Sybil Wettasinghe, the company has come a long way in promoting the message of safety among children and parents. Universal Children's Day on October 1 was initiated as 'Day of Safety' by Eagle.

Following its success, Eagle declared October as 'Safety Month' and planned activities islandwide to spread the safety message. The annual All-Island Safety Poster competitions among school children attracted thousands of entries every year and they helped to sow the seeds of awareness among young minds, provoking thought discussion and action in a neglected aspect in life - safety.

Selected posters were exhibited in main cities coupled with other activities including dramas, quiz programs and road safety demonstrations. These activities have always received the support and cooperation of the Traffic Police.

The assistance of pre-school teachers was sought to convey the safety message to little children and through them to the parents. Pre-school safety seminars were held on a countrywide basis where experts made presentations on how teachers should effectively convey the safety message to children.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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