Hundreds of kids in Calgary for Farm Safety Day

More than 700 students from across southern Alberta gathered in Calgary on Thursday for the first-ever Farm Safety Day at Stampede Park.

The Calgary Stampede program is designed to give kids the tools and knowledge to keep them safe on the farm and in rural areas.

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Grade6to 9classes got to experience some rural risks firsthand, taking part in interactive activities and learning about livestock safety, equipment safety, working with electricity, distracted driving, ATVing and first aid.

Othertopics included grain safety, working in confined spaces andchemical handling.

"Safety isvery important because you hear of so many farm accidents,"said Grade 7 student Lauren Enders."I know how serious it is and even though I already know some stuff I'm learning more here as well."

Students also got to watchthe powerful impact of accidents up-close, with a rollover simulator and a demonstration of what happens when clothing snags on a power take-off shaft, a common piece of farm machinery, which involved watching a dummy gettingrippedapart right in front of them.

Warren Connell, chief executive officer with the Calgary Stampede,saysthe day is about increasing links between urban and rural communitiesas well as safety.

"These are the same kids that will eventually take over the family farms, and so this is our opportunity to start at an early age and help with the safety side of things. We think it's a wonderful opportunity to engage the community."

The event follows the death ofthree young sisters in centralAlberta last year.

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