CHHS News

More than 350 fourth-graders from Warren County participated in the 30th annual Progressive Agriculture Foundation (PAF) Safety Days® program held on Sept. 25th at WKU’s L.D. Brown Agricultural Exposition Center.

Throughout the day-long field trip, students learned safety tips for around the home and the farm. Topics ranged from what to do if there is a fire in their house to the importance and proper use of safety equipment such as personal flotation devices (PFDs), helmets, and hearing protection. They also learned basic first aid skills, hands-only CPR, and reviewed how to call 911.

This year, the safety stations and activities were led by Western Kentucky University nursing students, the Bowling Green Fire Department, the WKU CPR Training Center, and local farmers. More than 60 volunteers assisted with the event.

The event is sponsored by the South Central Area Health Education Center (SCAHEC) in partnership with the Kentucky Partnership for Farm Family Health and Safety, Inc.

Catherine Maline,  SCAHEC Director, said, “We love hosting Ag Safety Day. It is such a wonderful opportunity for elementary students to learn important safety messages and then share what they learned with their families and friends. We’re grateful for all the volunteers who help make the event a success. Being in its 30^th year, we now have volunteers who participated when they were kids!”

The Progressive Agriculture Safety Days® (PAF Safety Day), is recognized as the largest rural safety and health education program for children in North America. Over the past 30 years, PAF Safety Days have educated and empowered more than two million children, teens, and adults across North America, fostering a safer future for generations to come.

“For three decades, we have worked tirelessly to protect what matters most: the safety and health of our rural communities,” said Brian Kuhl, President and Chief Executive Officer at the Progressive Agriculture Foundation. “As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment to our mission and look forward to continuing this vital work for years to come.”

For information, contact Catherine Malin, Center Director, South Central KY AHEC, at catherine.malin@wku.edu or (270) 745-3325 or Dr. Susan Jones, Board Member of the Kentucky Partnership for Farm Family Health and Safety, Inc., at susan.jones@wku.edu.