Washtenaw to celebrate Rural Safety Day April 15

submitted by Washtenaw County Farm Bureau

Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations there is in this country, and it involves many families. Farms are great places for children to play, visit, and work, but they can also be places where kids are injured or even killed. Families living in rural areas face many of the same hazards.

In the U.S., every three days a child dies in an agriculture-related incident, and every day about 33 young people are injured in agriculture-related incidents. It is very important that young people and adults alike are educated about the potential hazards on a farm and in rural areas so that they can be safe while working and playing and are better prepared if an accident does occur.

To help those who live in rural areas and work on farms or visit farms stay safe and learn the basics of rural safety, the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau and Washtenaw County 4-H program is hosting the Washtenaw Rural Safety Day. This free educational program will be held on Saturday, April 15, in Buildings A, B, and C at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd, Ann Arbor. Sign-in begins at 12:30pm and there will be several pre-event activities from 12:30 to 1pm, ranging from a hazard hunt to safety trivia to deadly look-alikes to a fun photo booth.

The program, featuring six rotating sessions, will be held from 1 to 3pm. Topics to be covered include tractor safety, grain safety, animal safety, fire safety, emergency preparedness and first aid, and stress management. The special activities offered from 12:30 to 1pm will again be offered from 3 to 3:30pm, along with free popcorn and door prize drawings.

The entire day will be family-focused and for all ages. Those interested in attending are strongly encouraged to pre-register at https://washtenaw-rural-safety-day.eventbrite.com. For more information regarding the event, please call (734) 428-8610 or email WashCoPandE@gmail.com.

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.