Farm accident inspires teens’ bid to save lives
Amy Slevin, 16, is a member of the Rosemount Foróige Club in Co Westmeath, whose members were last night crowned Ireland’s Top Teens after winning the Permanent TSB Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards 2012.
Inspired by first-hand experience of the dangers of living on a farm, Amy and her friends developed a hard-hitting farm safety project, aimed primarily at children.
“My own father was involved in an accident on our farm seven years ago and is now in a wheelchair,” Amy said. “Farm accidents and deaths can be devastating for farm families and the wider farming community.
“If our project can save a life or prevent an accident then it means we have done a good job.”
A total of 14 people have been killed in farm accidents so far this year, with machinery and drowning the main causes of child deaths on farms.
Driven by a desire to save lives and reduce the number of accidents, the Westmeath teenagers staged farm safety road-shows in local schools, ran safety talks for young people and held information evenings for farmers, promoting the slogan ‘Farmers, Always Remember Minors’ (FARM).
They also designed and produced a series of engaging and practical promotional materials, including welly and tractor stickers, wristbands, high-visibility jackets and book marks, all emblazoned with safety tips.
The safety messages for children include “no trips on the trailer”; “don’t play in the farm yard”; “don’t climb bales” and “don’t touch animal medicine”.
Tips for farmers include “no passengers on farm machinery”; “inspect cables regularly”; “no climbing for children” and “use outside agitation points for slurry pits”.
The project was showcased at the Tullamore and Moate agricultural shows and at the National Ploughing Championships, where the teenagers’ stand was visited by President Michael D Higgins.
John Cahill, Foróige’s assistant chief executive and chairperson of the judging panel, said the project was a deserving winner and has the potential to be rolled out nationwide.
“The group took an issue of major social importance and created a simple, yet effective and engaging programme,” he said.
“It is visual, involving and most importantly easy to remember for both children and farmers. The simplicity and effectiveness of this project facilitates a national roll -out so the benefits of this project can be far reaching and potentially life-saving.”
The awards scheme honours young people who take part in the Foróige Youth Citizenship Programme, an education initiative in which more than 12,000 participated this year.
* www.youthcitizenship.ie
