Who doesn’t know the Powerpuff Girls? As the mom of four growing kids some years back, I still remember how they were hooked on Cartoon Network and one of the shows they watched all the time was the Powerpuff Girls. Well, the Powerpuff Girls and more of their Cartoon Network buddies are back again, not just to save the world, but to SAVE OUR KIDS!!!
Partnering with Prudence Foundation and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Cartoon Network will be bringing crucial safety information to our kids on their cable channel. Twelve videos, each about 50 seconds long, will feature three topics: disasters, first aid, and road safety. The Powerpuff Girls start off the series with videos on how to stay safe during disasters. Later in the year, We Bare Bears will be featured with first aid tips; and characters from The Amazing World of Gumball will tackle road safety.
Five years ago, Prudence Foundation launched the adult version of SAFE STEPS which sought to enhance disaster preparedness and awareness by providing survival tips in response to natural disasters. But as adults, we know we cannot always be with our children. We may be at work and our young toddlers may be at home. Or they could be in school while we are somewhere else. When disaster strikes, their chances of survival are going to be greatly increased knowing how to respond and keep themselves safe.
That is why these videos are timely and practical. We all know that the Philippines is within the so-called Ring of Fire and is at great risk of disasters like earthquakes and typhoons, among others. We also know that often, the best education is not necessarily inside classrooms but when kids’ attention are focused on things they love. Meeting kids where they are, by showing their favorite cartoon characters in educational videos, is oftentimes more effective than simply giving them the same information in a serious setting.
Present at the launch were Marc Fancy, Prudence Foundation executive director; Sen. Richard Gordon, Philippine Red Cross chairman and chief executive officer; Ricky Ow, Turner Asia Pacific president; and Xavier Castellanos, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies regional director for Asia Pacific.
These videos will air on Cartoon Network on Cignal Digital TV Channel 220 (HD), Sky Direct Channel 15 (HD), SkyCable Channel 178 (HD), and Destiny Cable Channel 178 (HD Digital) and on Cartoon Network’s social and online video platforms, websites and apps, including Cartoon Network Watch and Play.
You can also catch these videos on the SAFE STEPS Kids website (www.safestepskids.com) and on Cartoon Network Asia’s YouTube channel.
Here are the Powerpuff Girls safety videos to give you a taste of the video series.