Safety first a winner for Leah

The overall winner of the farm safety poster and slogan competition run by the Health and Safety Authority and Clare Education Centre has been announced as fourth-class pupil Leah Callaghan of Knockerra National School.

 

Leah was selected in the Clare Education Centre catchment area, while 12 runners-up received a book voucher.

Pat Hanrahan, director of Clare Education Centre and Helen McCarthy of the Health and Safety Authority, presented Leah and Knockerra National School with their prizes.

The competition was aimed at raising awareness of child safety on farms and children were asked to draw or paint a poster and slogan, highlighting the dangers on farms.

Joanne Harmon, education manager with the Health and Safety Authority, said, “It’s so important for children to become aware of the dangers on farms, especially coming into the summer season when they are off school and around the farm or visiting farms. Six children have died in farm accidents over the past four years. The tragedy of a child’s death at the place where a family lives and earns their livelihood is an unimaginable horror that we must all be vigilant to prevent.

“Farms are dangerous places for children as they combine both home and workplace and unfortunately, children continue to get injured and die in farm accidents.

“What can seem like a playground full of adventure for a child can bring devastating consequences for families.

“The lines can get blurred between work and safe play areas. Particular risk areas for children include moving tractors, machinery and quad bikes, slurry tanks, hazards at height including hay barns, animals and the storage of chemicals,” she continued.

Meanwhile, Pat Hanrahan, of Clare Education Centre said, “We have had a huge response to the competition and children respond well to being educated about the risks around them.”

The runners-up in the competition included: Joey Fitzgerald, sixth class, Doolin National School; Niamh McMahon, fifth class, Cranny National School; Colm Kearney, third class, Cloonanaha National School; Alannah Mullins, fifth class, Clohanbeg National School; Stephen Kennedy, fourth class, ­Bodyke National School; Jane Murphy, sixth class, Rineen National School; Shane Vaughan, sixth class, St Flannan’s National School; Chloe Flynn, second class, Broadford National School; Sarah Marrinan, fifth class, Querrin National School; Maeve Hanrahan, third class, St Cuan’s National School and Diarmuid Mullins, third class, Crusheen National School.

The winning posters and slogans will be published in a Health and Safety Authority calendar for 2013, which will be sent to all schools later in the year.