Children enjoy exploring at a young age and can find themselves in potentially dangerous situations around the farm. Be sure you know where your child is on the farm and that they are playing in safe areas. Children should NOT be allowed to play in grain bins, wagons, or silos or in areas where tractors and heavy machinery are operating. A farm can be a wonderful place for children to explore and enjoy all that a rural lifestyle provides, as long as they are taught and understand how to remain safe.
When working with youth on the farm, provide age-appropriate tasks, give clear instructions and help them if needed. Youth should not be allowed to operate equipment that they are not old enough to operate or have not been given instructions on how to use. They should also wear personal protective equipment when working with tools or other machinery. Youth should never be allowed to work with chemicals and fertilizers found on the farm.
Below are the Top 6 Safety Tips for child safety on the farm:
- DO NOT ENTER A FLOWING GRAIN BIN.
This is the number one rule, the king of all safety tips.
More than 200 people in the US have suffocated in grain bins over the last 30 years. Even more frightening is that nearly one third of those who become trapped in a grain bin are under the age of 18.
It’s easy to underestimate the enormous force behind the bin — it works like quicksand that can bury a person in seconds, according to Show-Me Farm Safety.
The best ways to prevent this deadly situation is to never enter bins while grains are being loaded or unloaded and always wait until the dust clears so you can clearly see your footing before entering.
Communicate this to children and teens. Make sure they firmly understand the consequences.
- DO NOT USE EQUIPMENT WITHOUT SUPERVISION OR PROPER TRAINING.
When helping out on the farm, youth should never ride on a tractor fender or ride as a passenger unless the tractor is equipped with a buddy seat and a safety belt and operated by a trained, responsible adult. They should also ride safely in the cab of a farm truck or other piece of machinery.
Between 60 and 70 teens die from job-related injuries on the farm each year. Often this is because they weren’t properly acquainted with machinery.
That’s why it’s important for everyone —especially younger farm workers — to review manuals and take proper trainings before and throughout farm season.
Here’s a checklist for parents to see if their preteen is ready to drive a tractor.
- AVOID EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS.
Communicate to your child or teen what he or she needs to avoid exposure to hazardous chemicals and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to avoid exposure to hazardous chemicals, and also how to wear them properly. Chemical-proof goggles, rubber gloves, respirators and heavy-duty clothing, for example, won’t work if they aren’t worn correctly.
Teach children the hazards of various farm chemicals and how to avoid them…adults, make sure they are stored safety.
- BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY HAZARDS IN CONFINED SPACES.
Confined spaces on the farm can be a dangerous place for a child or teen. And children and teens are at greater risk in confined spaces if they don’t know where the hazards are.
Follow these five tips from the National Farm Medicine Center to make sure you and your youngsters will be safe in confined spaces.
- HANDLE ANIMALS SAFELY.
Animals are cute, but cows and horses are very different from cats and dogs. And according to Farm Safety for Just Kids, animals can be a major source of injury for kids and teens on the farm.
Because farm animals sense their surroundings differently than humans, they are likely to become frightened, or “spooked.” When an animal is agitated, it is a threat to an unsuspecting child or teen.
Some farm families show livestock and allow youth to work with them at a young age. It’s important to teach them to treat all animals with respect and care, and how to interact with them safely. It’s also important to wear a helmet when riding horses to protect your head in case of a fall. After working with animals, it’s always a good idea to clean up and wash your hands before moving on to another task.
Follow these seven tips from Farm Safety for Just Kids, and refer to the infographic for keeping kids and teens safe at local fairs and events with large animals.
- RIDE YOUR ATV/UTV LIKE A PRO, WHEREVER YOU GO.
Many young people enjoy riding four-wheelers and ATVs around the farm. Be clear on safety rules for operating, including riding a size-appropriate ATV for youth, always wearing a helmet and not driving on public roads unless absolutely necessary to move from farm to farm.
Did you know more than 60 percent of ATV/UTV-related youth deaths occurred when children and teens were riding on paved roads? Or that having multiple riders on an ATV causes 75 percent of child ATV-related deaths? Read a full list of tips here.
For more information on any of these topics and more, visit the resources below: