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Drag and Dress

Introduction

In the Drag and Dress activity, you'll learn about the people in the community that help us. Then you'll think about the uniforms they wear and how these uniforms help them to do their job properly.

People who help us

Think about some of the people in the community who help us. We have listed some below. Can you think of others?
  • Police officers
  • Fire fighters
  • Doctors
  • Nurses
  • Lollipop men and ladies (sometimes called Road crossing wardens)
  • Ambulance drivers

Uniforms

Most of these people wear a special uniform to do their job. Have you ever dressed up as a police officer or a fire fighter?

What do police officers wear?

  • Police officers wear different uniforms depending on the job they do. For example, traffic police need to be seen so they wear a bright yellow jacket.
  • Ordinary police officers wear a dark blue uniform. This was chosen in the nineteenth century when the first police officers were appointed. Blue was probably chosen so that police officers were not confused with soldiers, who wore red.
  • Female police officers wear a round bowler-style hat. Male police officers wear a helmet (when they're out on the beat) or a peaked cap.
  • Police officers carry radios so they can communicate with each other. These are usually on special frequencies that nobody else can hear.
  • Most officers carry batons to protect themselves and to assist in the capture of suspects.

What do fire fighters wear?

  • Fire fighters uniforms are dark red. The uniforms are made of special material that doesn't catch fire easily.
  • The uniform has special pleats and folds. This makes it easier for them to carry people and objects. It also helps them to bend, crawl and climb.
  • Fire fighters wear bright yellow helmets. The helmet has a plastic visor to protect the fire fighter from sparks and heat.
  • Fire fighters wear large wellington boots with steel toe-caps. The boots have handles so that fire fighters can pull them on quickly. The boots also have thick soles to protect them when they are treading on broken glass or nails. Fire fighters always wear their trousers over their boots to stop burning objects dropping down inside.
  • Fire fighters sometimes wear special face masks to help them breathe in smoky rooms.

What do doctors and nurses wear?

  • Most doctors and nurses in hospitals wear white clothes. This is because it is very important to stay clean when you are treating patients. If you wear white, you can spot dirt and stains very easily.
  • Doctors and nurses often have lots of pockets in their uniforms. This is because they have a lot to carry and they need to keep things out of the way.
  • Some doctors carry a stethoscope. This allows them to listen to your heartbeat.
  • Some nurses wear their watches clipped to their shirt pocket. These watches are upside down. This is so when the nurse looks down at the watch, it will be the right way up.

Dressing up

Question One

We have listed several items of uniform below. Which ones would a police officer wear? If it's easier, you might like to print out this page, and draw a circle around the correct clothes.

Rubber wellington boots A space helmet A clip-on radio A baton A stethoscope A white shirt Dark blue trousers A dark blue helmet

Question Two

We have listed several items of uniform below. Which ones would a fire fighter wear? If it's easier, you might like to print out this page, and draw a circle around the correct clothes.

Rubber wellington boots A top hat Dark red trousers A baton A dark red jacket A yellow helmet Dark blue trousers Clown's shoes

Question Three

We have listed several items of uniform below. Which ones would a doctor wear? If it's easier, you might like to print out this page, and draw a circle around the correct clothes.

A white jacket A bowler hat White trousers A stethoscope A dark red fireproof jacket A pirate's hat Dark blue trousers A clip-on radio

Answers

We have put our suggested answers below.

Police officer: A clip-on radio, a baton, a white shirt, dark blue trousers, a dark blue helmet Fire fighter: Rubber wellington boots, dark red trousers, a dark red jacket, a yellow helmet Doctor: A white jacket, white trousers, a stethoscope

Key Questions

Finally, think about the following questions:

  • Why do some people wear uniforms?
  • Why does their uniform help them to do their job?
  • Can you think of any other jobs that require uniforms? Why do you think these uniforms are needed?

Where would you like to go next?