Keeping kids safe

Wright County Farm Bureau and Wright County ISU Extension hosted their ninth annual Wright County Safety Day at Greenwood Park (Wright County Fairgrounds) in Eagle Grove on Tuesday, Sept. 13. More than 200 third-grade students from Eagle Grove, Clarion-Dows, and Belmond spent the day learning about farm safety, chemical safety, first aid, weather alerts, water safety, EMS, fire safety, making 9-1-1 calls, and the dangers of electricity.

Thanks to the many professionals and volunteers who facilitated the stations, you can now ask any Wright County third grader “Do you know what to do if smoke is filling your house? Do you need a fire extinguisher on your boat? What’s the best way to keep from getting the cold or flu? What’s the first thing you should always do before you dig a hole?” and they’ll most likely know the answer.

Travis and Bryce, members of the Clarion Fire Department, talked with kids about the protective clothing they wear, how to stay low below the smoke in a fire, and what to do in case their place catches on fire - like never going back to save a pet or hiding from firefighters. The kids also found it interesting if you ever hear a fire truck blow it’s horn three times at a fire, that is a universal sign for unsafe conditions and that all firefighters should get out fast.

Read the full article in the September 22 edition of the Eagle.