Keeping children safe on farms

Child safety on farms

We know farms can be wonderful places for children to grow up, where independence and responsibility are fostered and family relationships are strengthened. But farms are not playgrounds.

They can be dangerous places for everyone, not just children, and children are put at great risk of injury when playing, visiting or helping around the farm.

The natural curiosity of children and their fascination for tractors and other agricultural vehicles tends to draw them towards busy work areas. Being hit by, or run over by, farm machinery or visiting vehicles is the biggest single cause of child deaths on farms.

Children can be hard to see and they are in great danger of being run over by moving machines – especially at busy times such as during silage making and grain harvesting.

Children should be supervised at all times when on farms. But that is not always possible, especially since children are spending more time at home due to COVID-19. When this isn’t possible the best way to keep them safe is to keep them away.

If young children live on, play on or visit a working farm yard it is essential that an area is set aside to allow them to play safely and to protect them from the many dangers.

The Farm Safety Foundation have created a guide for parents on keeping children safe on farms. More information can be found on their website, or their Twitter/Facebook/Instagram.

Published on: 23 July, 2020