The Wellington County Farm and Home Safety Association will host Kid’s Safety Day on Sept. 29. The event will run from 10am to 3pm at Deboer’s Farm Equipment Ltd. 0519 Wellington Rd. 7, Elora,
“With the Kids Farm and Home Safety Day we are focusing on creating safety awareness with school age children,” said Walter Grose, Wellington Farm Safety board member. “ There is no cost to the student.”
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 various stations throughout the day.
“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 Centre Wellington Fire Department will be bringing their fire house and students will have an opportunity to walk through a mock fire and smoke filled house. The fire department will demonstrate how to properly use a fire extinguishers.
“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. “
Ambulance personnel will be demonstrating first aid, including how to apply bandages, how to call an ambulance, and what information students need to give to get assistance.
The local farm machinery dealership will be discussing PTO Safety. “If we can protect children from serious injury or death by taking the time to demonstrate the dangers of a PTO shaft or blade and maybe save them from any dangerous encounter – it is time well spent,” said Grose “We’re trying to protect our farmers of the future.”
“We have been involved with school visits over the past several years,” added Grose. “Helen Broadfoot has been doing school visits for Farm Safety for over 25 years. She has spoken to over 1,000 students through out the county, discussing general farm safety.
“People wonder why we spend so much time in the schools, but what we prevent is unknown statistic,” said Grose. “We only hear about the accidents that happened, but we don’t hear about the accidents we have prevented by talking to students. I have been exposed to farm accidents, they happen in just a matter of seconds. They served as a wake up call and I know how important it is to get the message out to others, especially young children.
“Farm children live where their family works, and often times they don’t see or are not aware of the many hazards of their daily surroundings,” said Grose. “ We want to try and make children aware of the dangers and hazards found on the farm. Often times children will pay more attention if someone other than their parents reminds them of the dangers. Farm families live where they work, we want them to be safe” added Grose. “Children will go home and tell their parents what they have learned so hopefully the whole family benefits from the day” added Grose “There are far too many kids being hurt if hosting a day such as this can prevent an accident it is time well spent. ”
