Safety Day

Program Year: 2018-19

By: Carrie Derossett, Logan County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development Education

               Logan County has a rich agricultural tradition. Grain production and other crops are viable in our county. With many kids living and working on the farm, we are dedicated to promoting safe operation and respect of farm equipment that is in large supply. Each September, we host all 4^th grade students from Russellville and Logan County schools to participate in our Logan County Progressive Agriculture Safety Day. The students learn about safe practices on the farm and at home. In 2018, we focused on ATV, tractor, animal, electrical, water, fire, mower, firearm, and chemical safety. Local community members including utility companies, school personnel, and first responders are involved in planning and implementing the program.

               Students were asked, as a result of attending Safety Day, what are you going to do to be safer on the farm, ranch or at home? Students responded with:

• “I will stay away from my poppa when he is on the lawn mower and stay away from the tractor if it is on.”

• “get a fire alarm and a fire extinguisher”

• “stay away from a tractor when it is moving”

• “I will check around the house for dangerous things and throw them away if we need to”

• “do not go fast on a four-wheeler”

• “I am going to turn my headphones down.”

• “don’t go around my mom when she’s mowing”

• “I will not ride with my papaw when he is mowing.”

• “stay away from things that do not need to be touched by a kid”

• “make sure I have a seatbelt”

• “don’t drive a tractor with more than one person”

• “make sure I have a phone so I can call 911 if someone is in trouble”

• “stay away from chemicals”

• “always wear a helmet”

• “I am going to be safe around power lines.”

• “look around the tractor”

• “If I get medicine, I read the bottle.”

• “buckle up on the tractor”

• “look both ways”

• “do not touch power lines”

• “I will not go near fire. I will call 911 if needed.”

• “I will make sure not to eat something that is just laying around.”

• “wear life jackets”

• “to not play around dad’s mower”

• “I am handling my guns safer”

  
  

               We had over 400 students and 90 volunteers involved in this program. We will never know how many accidents were prevented though our safety day. If we can prevent one injury or save one life, our safety day has been a success.