Area first responders and other volunteers provided safety tips to local youth Wednesday at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds for Progressive Agriculture Safety Day.

Volunteers from KATE Radio, POET, Alden FFA, Albert Lea FFA and other organizations gave the kindergarteners through third-graders safety tips in sun safety, chemical safety, grain bin safety, electrical safety, rendering first aid safety, lawn mower safety, home alone safety and fire, animal and germ safety.

Organizer Katie Pestorius said this is the second year of the program that is hosted by Albert Lea FFA alumni, noting this year there were 106 students and 70 volunteers who signed up.

Students made a keychain with color-changing features that identified when they were receiving ultraviolet exposure.

She said two demonstrations were added to the event this year, noting the event began after her husband suggested they should bring the safety event to the community.

The day provides parents the opportunity to know where their children are at for the day, Pestorious said, and she thinks the volunteers seem to enjoy spending time there.

Eight-year-old Weston Korman — who lives on a farm west of Albert Lea — said the event was awesome.

“I kinda get to learn more about what safeties are on the farm and stuff,” he said.

Korman plans to attend the event next year, noting animals are his favorite part about living on a farm.

First responders simulated a farm accident Wednesday afternoon to give the students a chance to see first-hand how to safely react to such situations.

Freeborn County Public Health, Frontier Family Farms, Good Steward Consulting, Albert Lea Fire Department, Kibble Equipment, Cargill, Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services, Gold Cross ambulance, Freeborn County Humane Society and Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office sponsored the event.

Progressive Agriculture Safety Day is a national nonprofit organization.

Students were sent home with a first aid kit and a bag.

Volunteers from other organizations included Shell Rock Ag Inc., CFS, ITC Midwest, Intego Financial Service and Ag Star Financial Services.