The pupils learnt how to safely escape a fire, look after themselves when in trouble at sea, administer basic first aid and what to do in an earthquake, with the help of a simulator at the Cross Recreation Centre in Balclutha as part of education programme ''Clued-Up Kids''.
About 200 year 6 pupils from 19 schools in the Clutha district took part.
Public Health South event facilitator Anne-Marie Fox said the children were introduced to each station in small groups and the messages were kept relatively short. It was also interactive, which helped them learn.
''It's perfect and exciting for children,'' she said.
In the fire escape workshop, for example, children were required to crawl through an inflatable ''burning'' house and find their way out.
The earthquake safety workshop had children experience a quake at different strengths in a simulator.
Each station taught a key safety message, Ms Fox said.
At the end of the day the children were quizzed on what they had learnt.
The day was supported by several groups including the New Zealand Fire Service, police, Emergency Management Otago, St John, Surf Life Saving and the Cancer Society.
