Kids Farm and Home Safety Day June 6

WELLESLEY – Waterloo Rural Women is planning its 28th annual Children’s Farm and Home Safety Day for Saturday June 6.

The event will run from 9 am to 1pm  and is being hosted at Terry and Sue Lebold’s  Lebold Farms, located at 5801 Deborah Glaister Line in Wellesley.

Waterloo Rural Women is focusing on creating safety awareness with school-aged kids. 

Children will be divided into small groups and tour each of the stations including: large animal safety, chemical safety, large and small equipment safety,  water safety and fire safety.

“We have a committed group of volunteers who feel strongly about educating children about farm safety. Farm kids are exposed to a lot of things at a young age,” said  Waterloo Rural Women Farm Safety Day committee member Sharon Grose.

“We only hear about the accidents that happened, but we don’t hear about the accidents we have prevented by talking to students. Farm accidents happen in just a matter of seconds. Those close calls serve as a wake up call and we know how important it is to get the message out to others, especially young children so they don’t have those close calls.”

Grose said it’s important to take the time to demonstrate the dangers of farm equipment and animals, so children will be prepared. 

“People wonder why we bother to host a farm safety day each spring. We do it for the kids. We want to keep our future farmers safe,” she said.

Farm kids live where their family works   and often are not aware of the many hazards that surround them. 

Farm safety day presenters want to make children aware of the dangers and hazards found on the farm.

“Children will often pay more attention if someone other than their parents reminds them of the dangers” said Grose.  

“Kids will go home after attending the farm safety day and share what they have learned with their families. It’s a good reminder for everyone.  If we can prevent one accident by hosting a farm safety day,  it is time well spent.”

Spring is the beginning of busy time on the farm, so it’s important to hold this day early in the season to form good habits, Grose said. 

“If we can teach children about farm safety, hopefully it will stay with them for life.”

Organizers advise dressing for the weather as the event  runs rain or shine, and for attendees to bring a sun hat and refillable water bottle.

The event is geared to children aged five to 12 and includes pizza lunch and snacks. There will be hands-on learning, activities and games regarding safety on the farm.

Register in advance by contacting 519-580-5716 or emailing dmrogers@sympatico.ca