Child Safety on the Farm
Children are naturally curious and are naturally attracted to the many sights, sounds, animals and activities that occur on the farm. However their curious nature combined with a child-like inattention makes it very dangerous to leave them unattended. Based on amount of time spent in farm-related activities, children are more likely than adults to be injured or killed. The following facts are based on national statistics.
- Tractors are the main cause of childhood farm fatalities, either by runover, or rollover. Machinery entanglements are the next highest cause of childhood farm fatalities.
- Studies have shown that from one-third to one-half of nonfatal childhood agricultural injuries occur to children who do not live on farms.
- Nationally, an estimated 33,000 children are injured and approximately 104 are killed on farms and ranches each year.
The following is a list of danger areas for kids on the farm:
- Drowning (water or manure storage).
- Poisonous cleaning agents.
- Falls from machinery, haylofts, or ladders.
- Getting entangled in machinery, power take off shafts, etc.
- Tractor overturns or runovers due to being an extra rider or improper operator training.
- Animal or livestock, (runover, kicking, etc.).
- Suffocation in grain bins, flowing grain in wagons or feed trucks and fertilizer buggies.
To help you protect your children’s safety, a book and audio CD set titled “The ABCs of Farm Safety” is available for purchase through your county Farm Bureau office.
The set is part of a nationally acclaimed safety program and winner of the National Safety Council's Award of Honor. It is intended to help children ages 4 to 8 learn about hazards on a farm and increase their safety awareness.
The 32-page book titled Always Be Careful and companion CD introduce children to "Safety Sam" the scarecrow, who points out ways to stay safe on a farm. The lesson ends with a sing-along song that reinforces the safety message.
The ABCs of Farm Safety set is available for $6.75 plus tax.
If you purchase a copy, Farm Bureau Safety is interested in your comments on the product. Feel free to call 804-290-1379.