ALMA – Wellington County Farm and Home Safety Association (WCFHSA) is hosting a Children’s Farm and Home Safety Day on Sept. 30 at Husky Farm Equipment in Alma.
The event will run from 9:30am to 12:30pm, rain or shine, so participants are advised to dress for the weather.
“We are focusing on creating safety awareness with school age children- this is a free event for kids ages six to 13,” said WCFHSA board member Walter Grose.
“Parents are encouraged to attend with their children- there is no cost to attend.”
Local business are sponsoring the event and volunteering their time, equipment and facilities.
Complementary lunch will be served and each student attending will receive a goodie bag after completion of the farm safety day.
Children will be divided into small groups and tour each of the nine stations throughout the morning. Stations include bicycle safety, First Aid, fire department, farm shop safety, lawn mower safety, chemical look alike and tractor and skid steer safety.
“There will be demonstrations set up by the fire department, and OPP,” said Grose.
“The fire house will be present and students can tour the fire safety house and learn about the importance of a planned escape route.”
The Mapleton Fire Department will be bringing their fire house – students will have an opportunity to walk through a mock fire and smoke filled house.
“The Ontario Provincial Police will talk about bicycle safety and review safe handling of ATV and snowmobiles,” said Grose.
“Farm safety is often asked what age should children drive tractors on the road- the OPP will discuss that as well. “
Grose added, “If we can protect children from serious injury or fatal death by taking the time to demonstrate the dangers of a PTO shaft or blades on lawn mowers and maybe save them from any dangerous encounter – it is time well spent.”
“We’re trying to protect our farmers of the future and create an awareness for kids who visit farms.”
