The event, held on Sept. 18, included 17 members, six learning stations, and 46 fifth grade students. The six learning stations focused on food, fire, knife, livestock, electrical and chemical safety to emphasize the importance of safety at home or on a farm.

Joshua Lindbo, Junior Nicolas and Jaxin Anderson taught the food safety station on kitchen safety, including avoiding cross-contamination and food-borne illnesses and using proper temperatures and preservation methods for different meats. Members demonstrated correct cleaning, cutting and preservation methods.

No one expects or plans for a fire at home or school. Alyssa Korgel, Maddie Hogue, Natalee Becker and Miranda Novodvorsky presented different types of fires and how to use fire extinguishers effectively. They demonstrated the PASS method: pull the pin, aim at the fire’s base, squeeze the handle and sweep side to side. The presentation concluded with a practical demonstration of putting out a fire in a controlled pit using a fire extinguisher.

Brooklyn Mooser, Amy Mikkelson, Lilly Hoffman and Gracie Rauschenberger showcased knife safety techniques to prevent injuries. They covered storing and cleaning knives, using different knives, and safely cutting with them. They also demonstrated suitable cutting boards and practiced safe knife handling using playdough.

Hailey Sys and Amber Braasch presented livestock safety, emphasizing the importance of respecting animals’ size and being mindful of their surroundings. Animals can be startled by movement and extra noises, causing aggression. The session included tips on how to move, talk and touch tame animals, with a focus on knowing your surroundings. The fifth grade students had the opportunity to practice these skills and pet a calf.

The electrical safety station emphasized the importance of electrical safety in the home and the dangers associated with it. This included not mixing electricity and water, touching uncovered wires and inserting fingers into outlets. It was reviewed by Eva Brady and Teyah Dougay.

The chemical safety station lesson, presented by Aden Shapiro and Katelyn Leiss, emphasized the importance of proper chemical storage, handling and safety measures. They also discussed the importance of reading warnings and knowing chemical mixtures and warning signs of different chemicals if they are mixed.

“Farm and Home Safety Day offered hands-on learning opportunities about real-life situations” said Scotti Gunville, one of South Prairie’s fifth grade teachers. “The students were taught about situations that many of them would not have experienced without Farm and Home Safety Day. This gave them the chance to learn valuable lessons that we can’t offer in the regular classroom setting. The students learned how to react and respond to some dangerous situations, as well as experience things they might not usually see. For example, they had the chance to pet a calf, which was something brand new for some of our kids.”