FFA members teach farm safety to elementary kids

WELLS — Any child can benefit from learning how to be safe around heavy machinery.

That’s the idea behind an annual farm safety event held each year at United South Central. Upperclassmen in FFA teach younger children important safety tips for many different types of equipment. Children in kindergarten through eighth grade from both USC and St. Casimir’s Catholic School attended the event on Tuesday.

Two FFA students, junior Matt Overmeyer and sophomore Jordan Quade were teaching children about safety around snowmobiles and a John Deere Gator. They had the Gator there for students to sit in, and even showed the younger students what happens when the Gator runs over a hay dummy.

“It shows what would happen if you did get run over,” Quade said.

The older students explained that people should not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while operating any farm machinery. Other simple tips include wearing a seat belt if the vehicle has one or wearing a helmet on snowmobiles and ATVs.

“You want to make sure they can see you,” Overmeyer said to the students.

Other safety demonstrations included safety around electricity and how to be safe around tractors, combines, augers, grain carts and power take off drive shafts. There was also an ambulance and crew, and Wells Fire Department Capt. Bryan Neubauer brought a fire truck.

“I wanted to show them the tools we use and answer any questions they have,” Neubauer said.

Neubauer has been with the fire department for 19 years and said he’s been coming to this safety event probably for 19 years as well.

“It’s always interesting to hear their questions,” Neubauer said.

He said the kids are fun to be around because they’re so curious about the fire truck and all the equipment Neubauer shows them. Some second-graders were asking him what to do in case of a fire in their house. One student asked him how to get out of a house if the front door was blocked, and another student said he would hide if there was a fire.

“We don’t want you to hide. We want you to yell and scream and let us know you’re in there,” Neubauer told the student.

USC teacher Lynne Doble said she enjoys that the event has older students teaching the younger students. Even though she’s attended the farm safety event every year she still learns something new each time.

“This is a farming community, so this is an excellent, excellent program,” Doble said.