11 May 2016
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Mayor of the County of Cork today attended the launch of Cork County Council’s Farm Safety Booklet, ‘Sally and Jake Stay Safe on the Farm’ at Mallow Library. The book was launched by Padraig Higgins, who had tragically lost his son, James, on a farm accident in 2008. Also in attendance were Ms. Ann Baker IFA Farm Family Safety Group and Mr. John Leech CEO Irish Water Safety, together with a number of school children from Loreto Secondary School Fermoy, CBS Secondary School Mitchelstown, Scoli Ghobnatan Primary School Mallow and Ballygowan Primary School.
This is the latest safety initiative following on from the highly successful Cork County Council Water Safety Awareness Award and a number of publications targeting a proactive safety approach for school trips, including Driver Behaviour Around Schools.
In 2015, there were four child fatalities within the agricultural sector. Cork County Council is working to educate young people, both those who are already familiar with farms and those who may visit, to stay safe on farms. ‘Sally and Jake Stay Safe on the Farm’ highlights, in an engaging and interactive manner, some of the possible dangers while Cassie the Calf gives 12 tips on how to stay safe.
Mayor of County Cork JP O’Shea (Ind)
Speaking at the launch, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. John Paul O’Shea commented ‘ Cork County Council is a rural local authority, covering the largest area in the County, a large percentage of which is based in agricultural activities. With wonderful beaches, waterways and over 12,000 kilometres of road, it is vital that we educate our young people on the dangers around water, on roads and on farms. A total of 78 Wise up Around Water Flags have been awarded to schools, libraries and leisure centres around the County and I have no doubt that the ‘Sally and Jake Stay Safe on the Farm’ farm safety booklet will be equally as successful in spreading the message of staying safe on our farms.’
Copies of the ‘Sally and Jake Stay Safe on the Farm’ booklet are available, together with full details of all safety initiatives including safety visits to schools, all of which are FREE OF CHARGE from Cork County Council’s Water and Road Safety Development Officer Caroline Casey. Caroline can be contacted at Caroline.Casey@CorkCoCo.ie
