Pupils show the way by learning safety

From top left, Al McCone, Mike Jackson and Senior Constable Mary Hodren stand by pupils from Wairakei School. From left, Gypsy Edgeworth, Rose Abbott, Taryn Drysdale and Will Fowler.

Hundreds of rural Kiwi kids are coming top of the class in farm safety.

More than 1500 schoolchildren in Waikato are taking part in a pilot initiative to help them and their families stay safe on farms, and thousands more are set to take part as the scheme grows.

Blue Light, with support from WorkSafe New Zealand, developed the Farm Safety Activity Book to improve kids' knowledge of rural safety in and around the farm. The book tests their knowledge on subjects, such as chemicals and poisons, firearms, behaviour around livestock and vehicles.

Seventy three students from Wairakei School are among the 1500-plus students from 24 primary schools in the Waikato that are now graduating after completing the activity book. The initiative will be rolled out to another 48 schools across Waikato and Bay of Plenty over the coming months.

"The activity book is helping kids and their families understand the simple steps they can take to reduce the chances of an accident happening on the farm," says WorkSafe agriculture programme manager Al McCone, .

"It's a fun and engaging way to reinforce how kids can still enjoy a traditional life on the farm, and stay safe and well," he says.

"Growing up on a farm gives New Zealand children valuable life skills, but that great lifestyle comes with specific risks and this programme helps them manage those."

Mike Jackson, operations manager at Blue Light, says the activity book was welcomed by participating schoolchildren and their families.

"This initiative is not just about teaching kids to be safe on the farm, but also changing the attitudes of parents.

"This will help their families gain a better level of awareness of the dangers of living, working and visiting farms."