Charles
V. Schwab, Don Goering, Laura
Miller
Iowa State University Extension
Agriculture
is a unique industry because children can be exposed to potentially
dangerous situations 24 hours a day. The farm is both a work
and a home environment for many families. Without a separation
between these two environments, children can be exposed to
tremendous risks. However, care and guidance from adults can
reduce the risks for children living on Iowa farms.
An estimated
22,300 children under age 20 who live on farms and ranches
are injured each year in the United States. During 1996, the
Iowa Department of Public Health recorded 416 farm-related
injuries and 10 fatalities to Iowans under age 19. Many injuries
to children are not directly related to their work or chores,
and could have been prevented by planning and an active commitment
to safety by adults.
The Norman
Rockwell image of a wholesome, safe atmosphere that surrounds
agricultural production is far from reality. The hazards are
diverse and relate directly to the operation.
Potential
hazards are associated with equipment, structures, and livestock.
For example, grain often is unloaded by augers driven by tractor
power takeoff units in a work area near the farm living and
playing area. Young children also may interact with livestock,
which are unpredictable and can crush children.
This
publication deals with family safety rules. A carefully considered
set of family farm rules is a necessity for young children
and visitors to the farm; they also can be helpful for older
children who have responsibilities on the farm. Tailor farm
safety rules to your operation and family.
One way
to keep children safe on the farm is to create a safe environment
for them. Although safety is a daily process, one way to strengthen
your family's safety rules is to:
1) designate
safe play areas;
2) determine
other areas that might attract children;
3) identify
dangers with children; and
4) model
safe practices.
Identify
locations where children can play with minimal adult supervision.
Designated play areas protect children by isolating them from
the farm work environment. One play area might be the porch
of the farm house and the surrounding yard. A fence will reinforce
this division between work and play.
Try to
provide appropriate play items, such as swings, a sand box,
or playhouse, which make the play area appealing to children.
If the farmstead is more enticing than the designated play
area, your efforts may not be effective.
Discuss
with children where they like to play on the farm, and why
they like to play there. This might help identify potential
problems, and it will give you the opportunity to explain
why off-limit areas are dangerous. An explanation is more
effective than a "Don't go there" rule. Use examples
of what can happen in those areas, or relate true stories
about other children who have been injured.
Identify
hazards on the farm Once you've created a safe play area,
provide children with reasons to stay there. Walk with children
through different areas of the farming operation and point
out potential hazards. Explain what makes these areas dangerous.
Show older children newspaper accounts of accidents to show
that hazards are real.
Include
all aspects of your farming operation. A walking tour should
include agricultural machinery and equipment, livestock pens
and fields, farm buildings such as grain storage structures,
and the farm workshop. Reinforce these points about each area:
Machinery
and equipment: This area is most dangerous when tractors
and other machines are in operation. Adults may not be able
to hear or see others in the area, or they may be distracted
by children's play. Children should never enter areas
where machines are in operation unless supervised, or until
the operator has turned off equipment.
Livestock:
Children may be fascinated by livestock and perceive them
to be similar to the stuffed animals they play with. However,
farm animals can harm people out of territorial protection,
maternal instincts, social relationships, or interruption
of their habits. Children might not understand or perceive
subtle signs an animal will exhibit just before attacking.
The difference in body weight between a child and an average
farm animal makes crushing injuries common.
Farm
buildings: Confined spaces such as silage storage structures
can hold a build-up of lethal gases. As with other hazards,
it requires a smaller amount of gas or agricultural chemicals
to cause serious injury in a child than an adult.
Farm
workshop: These areas contain hand tools, chemicals such
as oils and cutting fluids, electrical outlets, and sharp
or hot items, such as welded metal. A child can be exposed
to many injury-causing items in this environment.
Adults
set an important example by safety-conscious actions and attitudes.
Children will respond to your concerns about safety if they
see adults practicing safety rules in daily life.
Here
are a few excellent safety practices that adults can pass
on to children, practices that could save lives.
- Follow
the "one seat-one rider" rule. Do not allow extra
riders on tractors, or passengers on grain wagons and other
mobile equipment.
- Read
and follow safety instructions in the operator's manual
for all equipment.
- Always
stop equipment operation when a non-working person enters
the area.
Designated
play areas and safety rules around the farm will not be effective
if they are not enforced or they do not become part of daily
life. Keep in mind that children need to be reminded of the
rules frequently. They need to hear rules on a regular basis
and be taught a few rules at a time. Thoughtful consideration
of family rules can make the farm a safer place for children.
The
high number of farm-related injuries to children shows a need
for safety. Test your knowledge with this quick quiz.
How
many Iowans under the age of 19 years are injured or killed
every year in farm accidents?
- more
than 400 youths
- between
100 and 150 youths
- less
than 50 youths
- none
of the above
A
majority of children are injured on the farm when they are
involved in chores or are working. True or false?
Designated
play areas can be relatively safe for minimal supervised play
by young children on the farm. True or false?
Identify
the four major hazard areas on the farm that pose dangers
for children.
Children
identify with safety habits followed by adults in their daily
routines. True or false?
[Answers
to quiz: 1-a; 2- False; 3-True; 4-machinery and equipment,
livestock areas, farm buildings, and the farm workshop; 5-True]
Safety
is important for children who live on the farm. Here are a
few ways to make the farm a safe place for children.
- Apply
brightly colored hazard decals to all areas that should
be off-limits for children. Tell children what the decals
mean.
- Discuss
with children some of the dangers associated with living
and working on a farm.
- Designate
a play area for children on the farmstead. If possible,
fence the play area.
- Set
a good example for children by following safe practices
in your operation.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
Prepared
by Charles
V. Schwab, extension safety specialist; Don Goering, extension
4-H youth development specialist; and Laura
Miller, extension communications.
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