University of Vermont Extension
Situation:
Many
times youth can learn or develop safe habits that not only
last a lifetime, but may be more effective in teaching their
parents than another adult would be. While few youth live
on farms today, most have visited them, and all live in rural
settings which have hazards which need to be identified.
Objectives:
- Teach
youth how to identify and avoid rural and farm safety hazards
found near their home.
- Teach
youth a few basic safety rules to follow when on the farm.
Scope:
Play
It Safe is being piloted in northwestern and central VT, covering
the schools serviced by the following hospitals: Medical Center
Hospital of Vermont, Fanny Allen Hospital, Northwestern Medical
Center, North Country Hospital, Copley Hospital, Central Vermont
Medical Center, and Porter Hospital.
Audience:
Students
in grades 5 and 6.
Program:
The
program was created when the Extension Farm Safety Volunteer
Coordinator asked Medical Center Hospital of Vermont (MCHV)
how the two groups might work together on farm safety. A committee
was formed and Play It Safe was born. A team of 3 people -
an emergency care professional, an Extension safety specialist,
and a peer educator (actual farm accident victim or family
member) - presents a one class period (45 minutes or so) program.
This consists of a slide show by the Extension representative,
a brief discussion of what it is like to be a patient by the
emergency care person, and a real-life story of "what happened
to me" by the peer educator, followed by 5-10 minutes for
open discussion and questions.
Teachers
are provided with a resource packed ahead of time consisting
of various references, masters for activity/worksheets, masters
and directions for a Pre/Post test for the students, masters
for a take-home safety checklist for each student to complete
with their parents and a letter of explanation for both teacher
and parents.
The
Play It Safe slide show, which lasts about 15-20 minutes,
was developed by the planning committee and consists of a
script and 62 slides.
Teachers
and students are provided with free earplugs.
Content:
Specific
hazards identified and safe steps recommended include:
- One
seat/one rider for all types of tractors, riding mowers,
ATV's, etc.
- Loud
motors like chainsaws, mowers, etc., require ear plugs.
- PTO's
are not play areas.
- ATV's
require personal protective equipment.
- Slopes
deserve extra care.
- All
moving parts must be shielded.
- Don't
allow anyone to play near a work site.
- Younger
siblings need watching - Take responsibility.
- Farm
animals are not pets, don't pet without permission.
- Fences
can shock or cut - stay clear.
- Wounds
can get infected. Keep them clean and covered.
- Sloppy
yards/work sites increase risks, keep it tidy.
- Cleaners
and chemicals can poison - lock them up.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
This document is produced by the University of Vermont Extension
System Farm Safety Program. RR1 Box 2280, Morrisville, Vermont
05661. Phone: (802) 888-4972. Fax: (802) 888-2432.
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