Stan Upah, USS?Polaris, explains safety equipment worn for protection while operating ATVs during the South Tama 3rd Grade safety Day activities. Upah was one of several who presented sessions on safety for the students. -Photos provided

A total of 108 third graders at South Tama County Elementary participated in a Safety Day on Friday, May 20.The day was coordinated by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Tama County Youth Coordinator, Jenny Hulme.

The third graders attended sessions on ATV safety (USS Polaris), water safety (DNR), lawn mower safety (Van Wall Equipment), gun and knife safety (Tama County Conservation) and sun safety (Tama County Public Health). The afternoon session was the annual bike rodeo.

Each of the presenters provided hands on lessons in safety.

During the ATV safety, students learned the importance of the riding the proper size of ATV and wearing a helmet.

In the water safety session, the students learned the reason for wearing a proper size life jacket and safety around a boat.

Van Wall Equipment employees explain lawn mower safety during South Tama 3rd grade Safety Day.

In the lawn mower safety session, students tried to count all the warning signs on lawnmowers and realized how many there are, which means there are many dangers to lawnmowers.

In sun safety, the students made a beaded bracelet, which turns colors when in the sun for too long, showing the importance of wearing sun screen. And in the gun and knife session, students learned the importance of calling an adult if you find a weapon and how to safely carry a knife.

The students really enjoyed the day. ISU Extension and Outreach, greatly appreciates the volunteers and teachers who participated in this day and looks forward to next year.

-Submitted

Beaded bracelets were used to illustrate the safety for using sunscreen.