SASKATOON – Crystal Zimmer was two years old the first time she saw how easily accidents can happen.
She was playing outside as her mother mowed the lawn on their farm near Handel in west-central Saskatchewan. Seconds later, she was caught underneath the lawn mower, crying.
She was rushed to Saskatoon where she was given skin grafts for cuts to her legs and feet. Today, she is a healthy teenager, but has not forgotten the experience.
Zimmer is one of 13 students asked to speak to school and youth groups to promote farm safety for the Saskatchewan Safety Council.
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“I know how serious it can be,” she said. “I’m not just up there talking. I can relate it to my own experience.”
The program, sponsored by farm machinery manufacturer Morris Industries, the Children’s Health Foundation, and Health and Welfare Canada, is part of an initiative to reduce the number of children injured and killed on Saskatchewan farms.
“Accidental injury is the greatest cause of child admissions to hospitals around the world,” said Dr. Jerry Yager from the Children’s Health Foundation.
Saskatchewan has the highest number of accidental injuries to children in Canada. Last year, seven children under the age of 15 died in farm accidents, and more were seriously injured.
Talks given throughout year
Zimmer and other speakers are scheduled to give 10 presentations each throughout the school year. They have videos and stickers for the students and hints on how to avoid farm accidents.
Erin Kun, a farm safety speaker from Bruno, Sask., noticed younger children respond better to her presentation than those from Grades 7 to 10.
“They don’t understand the seriousness of it until one of their friends or their family members is hurt or killed,” she said.
There are speakers available from Handel, Moose Jaw, Francis, Yorkton, Windthorst, St. Brieux, Bruno, Lumsden, Rosetown, Biggar, Makwa, Springside and Melfort. Any schools or groups interested in the program can contact Monica Zasada at 306-757-3197.
