CASA encourages communities to host a 2014 Safety Day
June 20, 2013, Winnipeg, Manitoba – The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) is pleased to announce that over 12,000 children and participants are expected to take part in Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® events across Canada this year. That is the largest number of participants since the farm safety education events were introduced to Canada in 2002.
On average, 13 children die every year in Canada as a result of farming activities. Since May, at least two children under five have lost their lives in farm-related incidents in Canada.
Marcel Hacault is the Executive Director of CASA. “The death of one child is too many. That’s why we really want to encourage rural communities to host Safety Days. It’s a great way to educate everyone in the community about the importance of farm safety and what individuals can do to keep themselves, their families, and their neighbours safe, whether they live on a farm, visit a farm, or use farm equipment.”
Susan Reynolds Porter is the Executive Director – Programs of the Progressive Agriculture Foundation. “The Progressive Agriculture Safety Day program is designed to help communities plan and conduct Safety Days that meet the specific safety and health needs of their community. We provide training for a local coordinator on how to conduct a Safety Day, lesson plans for more that 28 agriculture and home safety topics, insurance and free t-shirts for all participants.”
Communities that would like to host Safety Days in 2014 can apply online at www.casa-acsa.ca and click on Safety Days. The deadline for applications is July 15, 2013. Safety Day coordinator training is available in both languages.
Safety Day programming focuses on exploring dangers on the farm and the different ways children can take precautions to stay safe. Events are fun and hands-on, and include such topics as hearing conservation on the farm, safety around Power Take Off shafts and auger implements, safe animal handling, and grain bin safety. CASA partners with the Progressive Agriculture Foundation to facilitate Safety Day events throughout Canada. It’s the largest rural safety and health education program for children in North America.
Over 70 Canadian events are scheduled to take place across Canada in 2013, with most events taking place between May and the end of August. These events will be supported by over 3,000 volunteers. For a list of 2013 Safety Day events in Canada, visit our website at www.casa-acsa.ca.
Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® is a program of the Progressive Agriculture Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to provide education and training to make farm, ranch and rural life safer and healthier for children and their communities.
The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association is a national, non-profit organization promoting farm safety in the agricultural sector. CASA’s vision is a country where no one is hurt farming and CASA is working with partners in government, business, and farming organizations across the country to support initiatives that equip producers, their families and their workers with the information and tools needed to make farms a safe place to live, work and play.
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For more information, contact:
Michelle French Lancaster
Communications
CASA/ACSA
1-877-452-2272/204-275-8870
mfrenchlancaster@casa-acsa.ca
