The Stay Safe with Jessy art competition revealed four winners of toy shop vouchers as reward for their themed entries. The competition is spearheaded by Jessy the Sheep Dog, the Teagasc Farm Safety mascot, who loves to help keep everyone safe on the farm.
The initiative was used to raise awareness among children of the dangers and risks around a farm, and to encourage farm families to think about farm safety. Teagasc was very pleased with the response to the competition, which attracted over 100 entries.
Teagasc Farm Safety Specialist, Francis Bligh said: “We were overwhelmed with the response to our competition and delighted to have received such high-quality entries from the children. The judges and I had a difficult task whittling down the entries to three category winners and one overall winner.”
Each entrant will receive an official Jessy’s Farm Safety Champion certification and a goody pack from Teagasc along with runner-up prizes sponsored by Agrikids.
Isabelle Fogarty (11) from Co. Tipperary was the overall winner. Her colourful and creative 4-in-1 picture comes with the message: “Don’t be daft, stay away from the PTO shaft”. Unguarded parts in machinery like PTO shafts are one of the main causes of farm accidents and it is important that machinery being used is suitable for the task, properly maintained with all dangerous parts covered. All machinery should be serviced and maintained on a regular basis. Isabelle also used a drawing of a horse to highlight the dangers of blind spots, a striking “Beware of the Bull” image, and an image highlighting hygiene and sanitation around the farmyard.
Evan Maloney from Stradbally, Co. Laois was the category winner in the 4-6 age group. Cillian Murphy from Newport, Co. Mayo won the 7-9 age group category. And Aoife Gallagher from Gort, Co. Galway was the winner of the 10-12 age group category.