Barton County schools to participate in rural safety initiative

(From University of Missouri Extension)

Knowledge is an important tool in preventing injury. That is why the Barton County schools will be participating in a rural safety initiative coordinated by Barton County Univeirsity of Missouri Extension.

"The program is designed to inform our community's young people about hazards and safe practices that will help them exercise good judgement and increase maturity when faced with potentially dangerous everyday situations," said Elaine Davis, 4-H youth program associate in Barton County.

"The Rural Safety: Smart Choices for Life" program kicks-off Oct. 17 with the third grade classes at Liberal Elementary. The program will then be shared on Nov. 1 with the third and fourth grades at Golden City and with third graders on Nov. 6 at Lamar West elementary.

These 137 students will participate in interactive workshops provided by each school's 4-H/FFA students on rural safety. The 4-H/FFA students will plan and present the workshops with three main goals. 1) To make young people aware if the many ways in which injuries can occur in rural and farm areas , if safety is not followed. 2) To understand the rules of safety , so as to prevent injuries. 3) To teach young people the correct way to respond to emergencies in a rural or farm setting.

"Farming is one of the oldest and most important ways of life. Each year, more than 100 children are killed and 33,000 seriously injured on farms and ranches in the United States. Nearly 5,000 children will suffer a permanent disability from a far related injury," said Davis.

Rural farm life can require dealing with situations uncommon to the average household. An estimated 1.28 million children and adolescents under age of 20 reside on a family farm, with an estimated 60% perform work on farm as well as are hired to work on other farms. The leading cause of farm injury to youth is falls, in which 52% of injuries are work related in livestock operations. While the greatest number of deaths from mechanical suffocation occurs between ages of 10 and 14.

In farming, the workplace is also the home. A large part of rural life is about learning to recognize hazards and practice safety. Farm related injuries could be caused by out dated equipment, unsafe equipment or operator error. However when youth are involved natural curiosity and exploring are fun but farms are not meant for play. That is why safety education is so important without it innocent fun can quickly become dangerous, resulting in serious injury or even death. Safety studies show that 33 % of all farm related injuries to children under five are tractor related, with 34% of fatal farm injuries of youth under ages of 19 are due to machinery.

A number of partners have helped to make this program possible: Heritage Tractor, INC, Lamar Bank and Trust Company, Lamar Travel Plaza, MFA Agri Services, Prairie Plains Apartments, Redneck Blinds, Sonic Drive in, Specialty Risk Insurance, Synergy, Barton County Electric Cooperative, Barton County Farm Bureau, Barton County Health department, Daniel funeral Home, Davis insurance Agency, Gary L Price LLC and Pete's of Erie INC.

If you have any questions about the Rural Safety program visit www.communitysafetynet.com or contact the Barton County Extension office 682-3579.