A report released from the Consumer Product Safety Commission shows more than 13,000 people were killed in ATV wrecks between 1982 and 2013 and of that number 595 deaths occurred in Kentucky.From 2010 – 2013 Kentucky ranked third in the nation in ATV fatalities and today still ranks in the top five.More than one-third of ATV-related deaths take place on paved roads and one-quarter of deaths happen to children.

Education is key and youth continue to serve as the vehicle taking the message of “Safety, Safety, Safety” home to adults.Therefore, the Progressive Agriculture Foundation provides training, curriculum and networking for many extension educators and volunteers to help them plan and implement a “Safety Day” program in their community.  2017 marked the 9^th year for the Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service, County Extension Council, County Homemaker Clubs and local FFA Chapters to collaborate and conduct a “Safety Day” program for 4^th grade elementary students at 6 elementary schools.    Held at the local fairgrounds, 450-500 students participated in the two day program.Local business, law enforcement, firefighter, FFA chapters & Red Cross volunteers presented ten 15 minute interactive safety stations whereby participants rotated by classroom.Safety topics included ATV’s, Animals, Chemicals, Disability Awareness, Firearms, Fires, First Aid, Food, Underground Utility and Lawnmower.  For the first time during lunch the local fire department and EMS workers presented a mock ATV accident to demonstrate the importance of proper ATV usage and preparedness of the local first responders.  Another first time interactive station included 811 “Call Before You Dig” where youth learned to identify various underground utilities and used metal detectors to locate various objects.  THANKS to the county farm bureau and soil conservation organizations monetary donations provided each school with a $100 stipend to help defray transportation expenses to the fairgrounds.  Teachers were given safety resources as follow up lessons for use in classrooms while participants received t-shirts and “goody bags” filled with safety resource material to take home and share with their families.