Growing Safely - Child Safety on the Farm

The leading cause of fatal injuries for kids on farms is incidents involving farm machinery. While being on a farm can be a fun experience for children, they may also be exposed to serious hazards. Injuries can be caused by tractors, mowers and other machinery, chemicals, pesticides, or large animals. The following information can help kids remain safe on the farm.

• Do not allow your child to wander alone on the farm. Create a fenced-in "safe play area" for your child to play in or near the house and away from work activities.
• Assign age-appropriate tasks to your child if they are physically able to take part in farm work, ensuring they are properly trained and supervised at all times. Searchable guidelines for age-appropriate tasks can be found here at Nagcat.org.
• Follow manufacturers' recommendations for age restrictions when operating machinery and equipment (e.g., most manufacturers recommend that children younger than 16 not operate all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or machinery unless they have received formal training and are closely supervised).
• If your teen has the appropriate strength, coordination, and motor skills to operate an ATV, be sure he or she wears appropriate safety equipment, such as a DOT-approved helmet with face protection, long sleeved shirt, long pants, non-skid boots, and gloves.
• Always turn off farm equipment, lower hydraulics, and remove keys when equipment is not in use.
• Teach your child and visitors on the farm that farm animals are not domestic pets.
• Never carry your child while operating tractors, mowers, ATVs and other farm equipment or allow them to be in the equipment storage area, livestock barns, or grain bins.
• Inspect the farm regularly for potential hazards and correct them immediately.
• Keep your child away from objects and equipment they can climb, including windmills, electrical wires, augers, elevators, and grain wagons.

You can also check out the Growing Safely Child Safety on the Farm video on the Monsanto Off-the-Job Safety YouTube Channel or watch the embedded video below.

In the Growing Safely video focused on child safety, the Dineens share the tragic story of losing their son to a farm incident:

Source: New York State Department of Health

For more information regarding how to keep children safe on the farm, please visit www.farmsafetyforjustkids.org.