Prepared by Lynn Graham, Department of Human Development and
Family Studies;
Laura Miller, extension communications, and Charles
V. Schwab, extension safety specialist.
Iowa State University Extension
Too
many rural families learn the hard way that a farm can be
a dangerous place for growing children. The National Safety
Council estimates that 300 people under age 19 die and approximately
24,000 (65 every day) are seriously hurt on our nation's farms
each year. In Iowa, at least one out of every five farm injuries
is to a child.
No matter
how much parents know about farm dangers, they should not
expect their children to understand them. Parents can teach
children about safety, but they also must provide a safe environment.
This publication will review developmental issues for children
in preschool and early school years who still need supervision
but are becoming independent and want to be part of family
farm activities.
All parents
are anxious for their children to develop, whether it's taking
their first step or riding a lawnmower. However, children
under age eight have many limitations. They cannot mentally
manipulate ideas; they need concrete situations and rely on
perceptions, which can be inaccurate. Their ability to reason
and use logic is immature. They cannot apply what is learned
from one situation to another situation. Young children often
are overconfident and will attempt things beyond ability
to imitate or please adults. Since they still are learning
skills, they concentrate thoroughly on tasks, frequently "missing"
other input, or "forgetting" repeated warnings.
Children under age eight may seem "grown up" compared
to earlier years, but they need adults to monitor activities
and keep them safe, especially on a farm.
Following
are several developmental stages. Ages are approximate because
children develop at different rates and have different personalities.
Children
need a protected environment because they are driven to explore
the world around them. Even very young infants are attracted
by noise, movement, and brightly colored objects. Children
seek out sensory experiences, such as playing in sand, grain,
or water. Drowning is a big danger; buckets of water are an
overlooked hazard on farms.
Their
tendency to put everything in their mouth also makes them
susceptible to poisoning. Even a drop or diluted mist can
kill or permanently injure a child, a fact that families must
remember during pesticide application season. For example,
a child accompanying adults who bring meals to the field must
be kept away from treated areas. Discourage workers from hugging
children until they've taken off protective clothing and washed
with soap and water.
Older
toddlers enjoy moving. They often run headlong and have trouble
stopping or turning. They want to do things by themselves
and can be very stubborn. They have a short attention span,
always looking for new and interesting activities.
They
do not understand important concepts, such as the relationship
between size and distance. A child in the middle of a driveway
will see an approaching tractor, but not know how close the
tractor is to them or even that it's moving. They also cannot
understand personal property. As a result, they may experiment
with "forbidden" items, such as matches, electricity
or tools, when an adult is not looking.
Preschoolers
run and climb very well, and are adventurous. They like to
taste different things, such as shelled corn. They enjoy animals,
especially baby animals, but can be oblivious to the mother
animal's reactions.
Although
preschoolers are beginning to understand prepositions, they
may not understand where "beside" is, or comparative
phrases such as "too close." For example, preschoolers
must be told exactly how much food to put in the dog dish,
rather than not "too much."
They
may seek privacy, and often get in trouble when alone because
they make poor judgments. They may misunderstand directions,
and cannot follow more than two or three at a time. They can
follow a simple rule, provided it isn't too challenging to
their self-control (i.e. don't expect them to stay away from
baby pigs they can see from the swing set). Playing near animals,
grain storage, machinery, and farm buildings are key dangers
for preschoolers on the farm.
Young
schoolagers still cannot judge distance, especially of moving
objects. They often manipulate rules to their advantage. Although
six-year-olds are still self-centered and impatient, by age
seven they can be inward and preoccupied, leading to carelessness
or not hearing what is said to them.
They
still may find it hard to sit in one place, and tire easily
or become clumsy. This is important when the child is around
machinery or livestock for long periods (such as waiting in
a pickup truck in the field).
A seven-year-old
still cannot apply one situation to another. For example,
a child told not to go near a grain wagon doesn't realize the
warning also applies to a truck full of soybeans.
Children
this age also may get confused about directions; "left"
and "right" are still new concepts. Always reinforce
directions with visual cues, asking a child to move "toward
me," rather than "the north door."
Parents
should never rely only on rules for their children's
safety. Rather, rules are safeguards to be used in addition
to proper supervision. Children under age three do not understand
rules, and children cannot be relied upon to remember or heed
them until after age seven. Rules are learned gradually through
repetition.
Around
age three, children begin to understand simple rules that
relate to concrete situations. For example, when a child asks
about cattle, the parent can say that he or she must stay
five steps away from the fence. For "never" situations,
give the child at least one acceptable alternative. For example,
suggest that children find an adult to take them to see the
horses.
When
teaching rules, ask the child to repeat the rule, then ask
a question to make sure the child understands. Give hints,
if needed. Repeat rules whenever the situation arises.
To teach
rules to older children, capitalize on their helpfulness by
making the rule something that you need rather than an ultimatum
for them to follow. For example, you might say, "Hogs
can be unpredictable and dangerous. I worry that you might
get hurt if you are alone around them. It would really help
me to know that you'll never go near hogs unless you are with
an adult."
The key
to a child's health and well being on a farm is for parents
to provide appropriate supervision. Toddlers should be closely
supervised at all times and never left alone, even for a few
minutes. Even six-year-olds should be monitored from a close
distance, and checked on every 10-15 minutes.
During
busy times, farm families should consider arranging childcare.
A babysitter or childcare provider could come to your home,
you could take children to a family daycare home, set up a
babysitting exchange with a friend, or form a cooperative
with other farm families. The hassles and hardships of arranged
childcare become trivial when compared to the stress, guilt,
and expense when a child is injured or killed on the farm.
- Never
allow children under age eight independent access to livestock,
farm buildings, or machinery.
- Teach
children as young as age two never to eat or drink anything
unless a family adult gives it to them.
- Supervise
children on the farm. Do not rely on rules-and their ability
to follow them- to keep them safe.
- Be
a good model for safety. For example, never use pesticides
in front of young children because they may later try to
imitate you.
- Provide
a supervised outdoor play area away from livestock, traffic,
and machinery for children. A fence helps separate play
from work areas.
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
For
more information - Farm youth safety
- Farm
safety for young children, Pm-1592, lists key farm dangers,
appropriate rules, and supervision needs for each of six
developmental stages under age eight, and a brief review
of six hazard areas on the farm. Single copies are free
at any extension office.
- Other
youth-related publications in the Safe Farm series include:
- Review
family farm safety rules, Pm-1265g;
- Extra
riders mean extra dangers, Pm-1518c;
- Know
laws about youth farm workers, Pm-1518f,
- Match
age, abilities to farm chores, Pm-1518i.
- TEAMING
UP ... A Farm Safety Walkabout for Kids combines safety
with family activities in a workbook for elementary-aged
youth. Different sections focus on farm machinery, safe
play areas, lawnmowers, livestock and how to be prepared
for emergencies. Contact Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, (toll-free)
at 1-800- 423-5437 to purchase the workbook or get other
farm safety resources.
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