Yellowknife (Feb 09/05) - Life for Clumsy the Clown may not be easy, but lessons can always be learned from his experiences.

Incorporating Clumsy's situations and lessons into entertaining yet informative stories is how Clem St. Croix has been getting the message of safety across to Yellowknife's youth.

Clem St. Croix, deputy fire chief of life safety programs in Yellowknife, holds his latest safety book, Clumsy's Trip to the Hospital. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo

"There are important messages which need to be incorporated in these stories," said St. Croix, Yellowknife Fire Department's deputy fire chief of life safety programs.

He has just penned his third Clumsy book.

Clumsy's Trip to the Hospital tells the story of the hapless clown as he gets medical attention for a broken foot.

The book contains numerous safety tips for children.

St. Croix said he gets his inspiration from his working knowledge of such situations and wanting to share that information with others.

The first book, Clumsy Cleans the Chimney, is set during the Christmas season and involves the fire safety clown learning the safe way to clean a chimney.

The second adventure, Clumsy Goes Camping, tells the story of a boating adventure gone awry and provides a lesson in rescue and preparedness in the wilderness.

Life was breathed into the idea of Clumsy the Clown several years ago, said St. Croix.

A small group of Yellowknife firefighters including St. Croix, Mike Lowing, Ann Kall, Steven Sherbourne and Kellie Mitchell decided to create the character as a memorable way of presenting safety messages to children.

"We developed a skit for schools during Fire Prevention Week," he said.

"We had a positive response."

St. Croix said he enjoys writing the books and attributes his literary skills to a former teacher who always was encouraging.

"Her work as a teacher was a positive force for me," he said.

St. Croix plans to continue his writing.

Already, he is planning Clumsy's next adventure, which may have a theme geared toward teens and safety.

"I may incorporate different issues that centre around families and kids," he said.

He said he enjoys writing and sending out a helpful message to children and youth.

"I enjoy seeing the smiles it brings to their faces when they recognize Clumsy," he said.