New DVDs to promote child safety on farms

Chairman of the Health and Safety for Northern Ireland (HSENI) George Lucas today launched two new child farm safety DVDs at Eglinton Primary School, Londonderry.

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 Primary School.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Lucas said: “I know what fun places farms can be for children, but I am also very aware that they can be dangerous playgrounds. 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’, 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.

The 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.

For more information about child safety on farms, please visit HSENI’s Stay Farm Safe website: www.hseni.gov.uk/farmsafe