Farm safety highlighted at Ag in Motion

Youngsters attending 4-H Day at Ag in Motion Thursday learned the importance of safety on the farm.

The topics included electrical and fire safety.

"This is very useful information," Emma Panter, a 4-H club member at the event, said.

She addedsome of the safety information is especially important to share with young people who may be involved in farming operations.

"I think it'll be a lot safer for the kids around the farm."

Jodi Schellenberg, a communications specialist for 4-H noted the organization has about 3,000 members across Saskatchewan.

"The majority of members in our province are from farms,"Schellenberg said. "We thought it was a great idea to bring them all together and teach them a little about farm safety."

The exhibits included displays from STARS air ambulance about first aid. As well, there was safety information concerning farm implementslike augers. There was also a demonstration concerning safety around all-terrain vehicles.

Burn victim a featured speaker

Spencer Beach, a guest speaker from Edmonton, shared his experiences recovering from severe burns 13 years ago.

Beach was on a construction job and using a chemical product for the installation of linoleum. Fumes from the product ignited, placing him in the centre of an intense inferno.

"I had severe burns over the majority of my body," Beach said. "I was given a five per cent chance to live."

His message to the youngsters was clear: make sure you understand anything you encounter in any situation, be it at work, on the farm or in the home.

"I had a feeling that what I was doing wasn't right," Beach said. "But I didn't act on that feeling."

He said all elements of his life have changed because of the seriousness of the burns.

In addition to the physical challenges, he said, coping with change has also been an emotional struggle.

"You get caught up in the anger that your life has changed," he said. "It becomes even hard to think you can do some things again."