A major safety initiative to provide LifeVac anti-choking equipment to local schools has been expanded across North Lanarkshire.
Launched in October 2023 by family business SPAR Clyne Condorrat, the programme was developed in response to growing awareness of choking risks. Choking is the fourth leading cause of unintentional death in children under five, with around 350 choking-related deaths recorded in the UK each year.
Angela Mason of SPAR Condorrat said the initiative began with a pilot installation at Whitelees Primary School in May 2024, delivered in partnership with supplier Hazkits Ltd, LifeVac, and North Lanarkshire Council.
Following the success of the pilot, LifeVac kits have now been installed in all 34 schools across Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, ensuring staff have access to vital life-saving equipment in an emergency. As part of the rollout, choking prevention and emergency response sessions were also delivered, reaching around 2,000 children and staff.
LifeVac provides free CPD-certified training, which takes just 20 minutes to complete. Any kit used in an emergency is replaced free of charge, with only routine mask replacement required every two to three years.
Thanks to extended funding, the initiative is now set to expand further across North Lanarkshire, with more schools expected to receive LifeVac kits in the coming weeks.