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Monday, April 21, 2008 12:39 PM Rock Ridge, Gardners 3rd-graders given safety instruction By Eddie Fitzgerald | Times Staff Writer Learning how to safely ride four-wheelers, avoid injury during house fires, and being aware of the potential dangers on highways and farms were a few of the things school children from Rock Ridge and Gardners elementary schools learned Friday from local professionals. About 180 third-graders from Rock Ridge and Gardners participated in the third annual Progressive Agriculture Safety Day at the Wilson Fairgrounds. Amy Evans, a teacher at Rock Ridge, said she and the students enjoyed the day and learned a lot of helpful tips. "The students have learned how to protect themselves from the sun and how to be safe in every area of the home," Evans said as she watched her students entering the Wilson Fire Departments Kids Safety House. "These are some of the most basic safety rules they can learn every day." Calvin Williams, engineer for the fire department, and Ralph Vitale, firefighter, agreed. "We are teaching them about smoke detectors and what could happen in a house fire and how to escape: Stop, drop and roll," Williams said. "They are also taught how to identify different hazards in a house," Vitale added. Tayna Heath, 4-H extension agent, said 4-H applied for a grant from the Progressive Agriculture Foundation, which supports the programs for students. About 40 volunteers, including representatives from the extension service, N.C. Highway Patrol, Emergency Medical Services, Wilson County Sheriff's Department, the fire department and CycleMax, helped out. Heath said the Progressive Agriculture Day was a good way to teach children on the farm and in urban areas how to be safe. "These are topics everybody, regardless if they live on a farm or not, need to learn," Heath said. Inside one of the exhibition halls, Debbie Skinner of the extension service and Barber Williams of the Wilson County Health Department taught the youths the importance of wearing sunscreen and how to apply it, as well as learning other safety tips about being outside on hot, sunny days. The demonstration was one of the children's favorites because they got to make bracelets with beads that changed colors in the sunlight, telling them how dangerous the UV levels were. Outside, Van Etheridge, general manager of CycleMax, was teaching the third-graders how to drive four-wheelers safely. "The main thing I want you to take away from this is the importance of wearing a helmet when you are riding," Etheridge told the students. The children excitedly asked questions and told Etheridge about their experiences on the recreational vehicles. Teddy Holland, a third-grader from Rock Ridge Elementary School, who has been ridding a four-wheeler for two years, said he enjoyed the demonstration. "I learned to always wear a helmet and chest protection," Holland said. "I really like riding ATVs." Etheridge said this is the third time CycleMax has been involved in the safety day. "I think it is great for the kids," he said. "I wished we could get more students involved instead of one age group. All ages ride ATVs from eight to 80. They can be dangerous. But most all accidents can be avoided." Lee Cox attended the safety day with his daughter, Leah, a third-grader at Rock Ridge. Leah was listening intensely to a Wilson EMS paramedic explain how they respond to wrecks and the equipment they have on ambulances. "They get to see a lot of different things," Cox said. "I think this is beneficial and they learn a lot." Not far away Billy Little and Norman Harrell, both agriculture extension agents, were demonstrating the dangers of being around a tractor. Little said there should only be one person on a tractor at a time while Harrell showed, with a dummy, what could happen if someone got too close to a tractor and its moving parts. Back in the exhibition hall Michelle Kennedy, a teacher at Gardners, was helping sheriff's deputies make identification cards for the children that had their weight, height, birthdays and parents names on them. "This is the first time I've been and it's been very informative," Kennedy said. "This offers really good life skills for the children and they all really have enjoyed it." Other demonstrations included a disability section that helped children see the consequences of not being safe, like trying to open a box of raisins after losing their fingers in a lawnmower accident; and the N.C. Highway Patrol showing the importance of wearing seat belts by using a "roll over car" that was a section of a car with a dummy in it. The dummy did fine in a roll-over wearing a seat belt, but without the safety harness, it flew out the window to a loud "Ohhh!" from the third-graders. eddie@wilsontimes.com | 265-7820 |
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