Keeping children safe is primary task for farm families
BLACKSBURG, Va., Feb. 20, 2009 – The farm is a unique and wonderful environment for children to live, play, work, and grow up. However, agriculture is one of the most dangerous occupations and farm children are routinely exposed to the same hazards as their parents working on the farm.
Each year hundreds of children are killed and thousands more are injured in farm-related incidents. Some of these children are working on the farm, but many others wander into trouble on their own or are invited into hazardous areas.
“We can help protect our children by keeping them away from the hazards and by teaching them how to be safe when they are around equipment and animals,” says Bobby Grisso, Virginia Cooperative Extension engineer at Virginia Tech.
Grisso has some suggestions that can help farm children and their friends stay safe.
First, design a fenced play area for children near the house and away from work activities. Do not allow children to roam freely around the farm.
Second, keep the farm safe by routinely inspecting for hazards that could injure someone who wanders on to the farm. Correct all hazards at once.
Third, allow children who are physically and mentally ready for farm work to do only age-appropriate tasks. They should receive training in the proper way to do the task, have their training continually reinforced, and be supervised by an adult as they work.
Fourth, equip all barns, farm shops, chemical storage facilities, livestock pens, etc. with latches and locks that can be secured so children cannot enter these areas at any time.
Fifth, always turn off equipment, lower any hydraulics, and remove the ignition key before leaving equipment unattended.
Lastly, do not expose children to hazards. Never carry children on tractors or other equipment or invite them into the farm shop, livestock barns, grain bins, etc.
When children are old enough, parents should help them understand why certain areas, animals and equipment around the farm can be dangerous. “If we teach children how to reason through situations, they are less likely to put themselves in dangerous positions,” Grisso says.
Contact: Robert Grisso
Virginia Cooperative Extension Engineer
Virginia Tech
(540) 231-6538
rgrisso@vt.edu
Contact: Michael Sutphin
Writer
Communications and Marketing
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Virginia Tech
(540) 231-6975
msutphin@vt.edu
Writer: Susan Suddarth
Student Intern
Communications and Marketing
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Virginia Tech