Ansonia FFA leads rural safety education initiative

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ANSONIA – The Ansonia FFA led an initiative on May 17 to increase awareness of rural dangers and reduce farm-related accidents for second and third grade elementary students.

This is the eighth year that Ansonia FFA students have brought safety resources to area children.

Smart Choices for Life is a 112-page handbook written for children who live and often work on or near a farm. Produced by Community Safety Net, whose mission is “Protecting Kids for LIFE,” this family resource contains practical information on everything from electricity to safety around animals and educates children on many aspects of farm safety. This resource is available through the support of local businesses and organizations.

The National Committee for Childhood Agricultural Injury Prevention estimates that more than 100 children die and another 100,000 are seriously injured annually in North American farm accidents. Of those injured, 50 percent do not actually live on a farm – a statistic that underscores the need to provide rural safety education for all children living in rural areas.

In order to prepare for this day the agriculture education students prepared presentations on topics ranging from animal safety, safety signs, farm equipment safety and others. At the end of each presentation the ag students interacted with the elementary students through questions and games and gave out goodie bags to accompany the rural safety books.

There is always a lot of positive feedback from the elementary teachers regarding this activity, and it also teaches the high school students how to organize and execute an activity that involves others.

Leticia Millikin and Hannah Hartzell give a safety presentation to a second grade class.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Leticia-Millikin-and-Hannah-Hartzell-WEB.jpgLeticia Millikin and Hannah Hartzell give a safety presentation to a second grade class. Courtesy photo

Rylie Marker and Kierra Reichert play a recycling game with a third grade class.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Rylie-Marker-and-Kierra-Reichert-WEB.jpgRylie Marker and Kierra Reichert play a recycling game with a third grade class. Courtesy photo

An Ansonia third grade class learns safety hand signals from Ansonia FFA members.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Ansonia-WEB-26.jpgAn Ansonia third grade class learns safety hand signals from Ansonia FFA members. Courtesy photo

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