Why is farm and rural safety important for everyone to know?

Just because you don't live on a farm doesn't mean that you shouldn't know how to be safe at one. One-third to one-half of childhood agricultural injuries happens to children who are just visiting a farm or ranch [1].

What are the major causes of death and injury to kids on farms and ranches?

• Machinery, especially tractors
• Livestock
• Falls
• Drowning
• Fires
• Small tools
• Building structures
• Moving machinery parts

How can I keep my kids safe on the farm or ranch?

• Never allow kids to ride along on a tractor.
• Keep pesticides and other dangerous chemicals away from children.
• Do not allow climbing on buildings, structures and machinery.
• Create safe play areas for your children.
• Keep children out of and away from grain wagons and transport vehicles at all times.
• The risks of drowning and fire deaths are much higher in rural areas than in towns and cities.  Learn how to prevent fire and water accidents.
• Always supervise young horseback riders.
• Don’t let kids ride in the bed of a pickup truck.
• Recreational vehicles can be dangerous—make sure you know about safe use of ATVs, snowmobiles and jet skis.
• Make sure your child is physically ready and has the good judgment needed to safely help with farm jobs.  See the North American Guidelines for Children’s Agricultural Tasks for more information.
• Make sure child knows how to safely approach various types of animals.

Where can I learn more about rural and agricultural safety?

• Farm Safety 4 Just Kids - games, facts and safety tips.
• Check out this fact sheet on rural injury.
• The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety offers fact sheets, resources, and links to related sites.
• For kids: Farm safety.
• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the lead federal agency in preventing childhood agricultural injury through its Childhood Agricultural Injury Prevention Initiative.
  

Literature Cited:
[1] National Safe Kids Campaign. Rural injury fact sheet. 2004 [cited 2004 Oct 20]. Available from: http://www.safekids.org/tier3_cd.cfm?folder_id=540&content_item_id=1153

Compiled by Kyla Boyse, R.N. Reviewed by faculty and staff at the University of Michigan

Updated November 2006

U-M Health System Related Sites:
U-M Pediatrics

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