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About the Safety Smarts Program

The Safety Smarts program, initiated by the Heartland Training & Support Hub (formerly Farm Safety Centre) in 1998, is a cornerstone in educating rural elementary students about farm safety. Celebrating over two decades of impactful delivery, this program reaches into classrooms, both physically and virtually, to teach children from Kindergarten through Grade 6. With a focus on practical and age-appropriate topics like safe play areas, machinery and livestock safety, and water & ice hazards, Safety Smarts has successfully engaged over 850,000 rural children.

The program’s efficacy is underscored by its wide reach, impacting around 60,000 students annually and receiving overwhelming approval from educators and parents. However, facing funding challenges, Safety Smarts seeks support to continue its vital mission of empowering rural youth with essential farm safety knowledge.

 

As Safety Smarts embarks on another year of educating and safeguarding our rural youth, we invite you to join us in this noble cause. Your support can ensure that this essential program continues to impart crucial safety knowledge to the next generation, empowering them to create a safer and more informed rural environment. Every contribution, big or small, helps us sustain and grow this impactful initiative. Join us in nurturing a safe and aware future for our rural communities.

Over the past 25 years regional instructors have:

Driven

1,893,616 KMs

Visited

7,702 Schools

Presented to

42,213 Classrooms

Reached

851,699 Children

Presentations for Rural Schools

Regional instructors use farm machinery models, pictures, short videos, and personal experience to introduce the children to farm safety. “One Seat One Rider” is emphasized.

“What Could Happen?” scenarios are discussed. 
Each child receives a take-home safety reminder to help them discuss farm safety with their families.

Regional instructors begin this presentation with a brief review of safety messages delivered in kindergarten.
To Stay Safe, Play Safe” is emphasized. 

Farm machinery models are used to visually highlight specific hazards. The children go on a visual “Hazard Hunt” which identifies potential hazards which could be found on a working farm.

During the visual “Walk About – Talk About” students are taught to evaluate whether specific situations or activities are safe or not.   They are encouraged to always ask an adult if they are unsure.
Each child receives a take-home safety reminder to help them discuss farm safety with their families.

Regional instructors begin this presentation with a brief review of safety messages delivered in kindergarten and grade 1.

A tragic personal experience is shared by the parents of a child lost to rural drowning.  This video introduces the children to the reality of drowning risks.

A variety of rural drowning hazards are presented and discussed using a game called “Boats Float Bingo”.

Still shots and short video clips, enable meaningful interaction and learning.

Each child receives a take-home safety reminder to help them discuss farm safety with their families.

Regional instructors begin this presentation with a brief review of safety messages delivered in kindergarten, grade 1, and grade 2.

The children are introduced to a rural risk they may never have thought much about – hearing safety. This risk is more intangible than those previously discussed and begins a transition into more situational based presentations where children are taught that personal choices lead to real consequences.

Using ear models, posters, pictures, video clips and animations children are shown how the ear works, how sound travels to the ear and how sound is measured. A sound level meter is used to demonstrate different decibel levels produced by machinery, animals, vehicles etc.

Students are taught that sounds that are too loud, for too long, or too often cause sound induced hearing loss. Children help graph the decibel levels/exposure time/frequency of farm sounds. Students get the opportunity to wear ear protectors and measure sounds with a sound level meter.
Each child receives a take-home safety reminder to help them discuss farm safety with their families.

Regional instructors begin this presentation with a brief review of safety messages delivered in previous kindergarten, grade 1, 2 and 3 presentations. Many farm safety concepts are reinforced.

The increased age, experience and learning capacity of these students allows more in-depth discussion. Depending on the class size, either 4 or 5 teams play “Splat” a farm safety jeopardy-based game which encourages discussion and allows reinforcement of a variety of farm safety messages.
Each child receives a take-home safety reminder to help them discuss farm safety with their families.

Regional instructors begin this presentation with a brief review of safety messages delivered in previous kindergarten, grade 1, 2, 3 and 4 presentations. Many farm safety concepts are reinforced.

Throughout this presentation emphasis is placed on decision making, personal boundaries and the importance of prevention. This presentation focuses on rider related falls and collisions.

Students are divided into 4 or 5 teams to play “Don’t Press Your Luck.” This fast-paced game encourages involvement and engages students intellectually as they make assessments and predictions.
Each child receives a take-home safety reminder to help them discuss farm safety with their families.

Regional instructors begin this presentation with a brief review of safety messages delivered in previous kindergarten, grade 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 presentations. Many farm safety concepts are reinforced.

Emphasis is placed on the impact personal decisions and behaviors have on not only their own safety but the safety and wellbeing of others. Time is spent discussing what influences their decision making. The importance of prevention and their personal ability to control outcomes is stressed.

Using a variety of engagement strategies and tools students learn about the causes and impact of head injuries.  Students are invited to experience the challenges of completing simple tasks while dealing with typical concussion symptoms.  Each child receives a take-home safety reminder to help them discuss farm safety with their families.

Presentations for Hutterite Brethren Schools

Regional instructors begin this presentation with a brief review of safety messages delivered previously.  Many farm safety concepts are reinforced.  Our experienced instructors are mindful of the unique aspects of the Hutterite culture which require a thoughtful and respectful approach to farm safety messaging. 

A tragic personal experience is shared by the parents of a child lost to rural drowning.  This video introduces the children to the reality of drowning risks.

A variety of rural drowning hazards are presented and discussed using a game called “Boats Float Bingo”.              Still shots and short video clips, enable meaningful interaction and learning.
Each child receives a take-home safety reminder to help them discuss farm safety with their families.

Regional instructors begin this presentation with a brief review of safety messages delivered previously.  Many farm safety concepts are reinforced. Our experienced instructors are mindful of the unique aspects of the Hutterite culture which require a thoughtful and respectful approach to farm safety messaging. 

The children are introduced to a rural risk they may never have thought much about – hearing safety. This risk is more intangible than those previously discussed and begins a transition into more situational based presentations where children are taught that personal choices lead to real consequences.

Using ear models, posters, pictures, video clips and animations children are shown how the ear works, how sound travels to the ear and how sound is measured. A sound level meter is used to demonstrate different decibel levels produced by machinery, animals, vehicles etc.

Students are taught that sounds that are too loud, for too long, or too often cause sound induced hearing loss. Children help graph the decibel levels/exposure time/frequency of farm sounds. Students get the opportunity to wear ear protectors and measure sounds with a sound level meter.
Each child receives a take-home safety reminder to help them discuss farm safety with their families.

Regional instructors begin this presentation with a brief review of safety messages delivered previously.  Many farm safety concepts are reinforced. Our experienced instructors are mindful of the unique aspects of the Hutterite culture which require a thoughtful and respectful approach to farm safety messaging. 

The increased age, experience and learning capacity of these students allows more in-depth discussion.  The class is split into teams to play “Splat” a farm safety jeopardy-based game which encourages discussion and allows reinforcement of a variety of farm safety messages.
Each child receives a take-home safety reminder to help them discuss farm safety with their families.

Regional instructors begin this presentation with a brief review of safety messages delivered previously.  Many farm safety concepts are reinforced. Our experienced instructors are mindful of the unique aspects of the Hutterite culture which require a thoughtful and respectful approach to farm safety messaging. 

Throughout this presentation emphasis is placed on decision making, personal boundaries and the importance of prevention. This presentation focuses on rider related falls and collisions.

Students are divided into teams to play “Don’t Press Your Luck.” This fast-paced game encourages involvement and engages students intellectually as they make assessments and predictions.
Each child receives a take-home safety reminder to help them discuss farm safety with their families.

Regional instructors begin this presentation with a brief review of safety messages delivered previously.  Many farm safety concepts are reinforced. Our experienced instructors are mindful of the unique aspects of the Hutterite culture which require a thoughtful and respectful approach to farm safety messaging. 

Emphasis is placed on the impact personal decisions and behaviors have on not only their own safety but the safety and wellbeing of others. Time is spent discussing what influences their decision making. The importance of prevention and their personal ability to control outcomes is stressed.

Using a variety of engagement strategies and tools students learn about the causes and impact of head injuries.  Students are invited to experience the challenges of completing simple tasks while dealing with typical concussion symptoms.  Each child receives a take-home safety reminder to help them discuss farm safety with their families.

Safety Smarts Annual Reports

2021

2019-2020

2018-2019

2017-2018

2016-2017

2015-2016

2014-2015

2013-2014

Safety Smarts Evaluation

Infographic

3 Page Highlights

Full Report

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