George McLucas, chairperson, HSENI, and Denise Donaghy, HSENI Inspector, with Eglinton PS cousins, Charlotte Killen, Joan, Tom and Rea Moore, and Henry Killen at the launch of the farm safety DVD in the Derry school. Photo: Lorcan Doherty Photography
Pupils from Derry primary school feature in two new DVDs aimed at raising awareness of child safety on farms.
Pupils from Eglinton Primary School were today joined by George Lucas, chairperson of the Health and Safety for Northern Ireland (HSENI), at the launch of the DVDs at the Derry school.
Produced as part of HSENI’s “Be Aware Kids – Child Safety on Farms Campaign,” the DVDs are aimed at two specific age groups – “Dangerous Playgrounds” for four to eight year olds and “Farm Safe” for eight to 11 year olds.
Both 10 minute DVDs were filmed on location at farms in Northern Ireland and feature pupils from Eglinton PS.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Lucas said while farms could be “fun places” they also could be “dangerous plagrounds.”
He added: “All of us associated with farming must be proactive and vigilant in helping to keep our children safe at all times.
“I welcome this joint approach between the schools, the children and HSENI so that together we can help prevent more tragedies on our farms.”
As part of the “Be Aware Kids – Child Safety on Farms Programme,” the HSENI has a five year rolling programme where presentations are delivered to pupils in rural primary schools on child safety on farms.
The children receive information on the dangers of falling from tractors, riding on Quad bikes, animals, slurry, being hit by falling objects and playing in busy farmyards.
The DVDs are shown to the pupils during the presentation to reinforce the message of the key dangers to children living on, playing on or visiting farms.
Children are awarded a “certificate of achievement” to add to their learning portfolio and also receive a farm safety pack containing fun things to read and do in relation to farm safety.
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