Farm safety – children

Children who live on farms are more likely to be injured or killed there than their parents or other farm workers. Children make up a significant share of farm deaths, and common hazards include drowning in dams, tanks and creeks, injury from guns or chemicals, accidents with tractors, motorbikes, machinery and animals, and falls from heights.

The main risk factors are inexperience with equipment or animals, and attempting tasks that are beyond a child’s ability. Young children in particular need a safe play area of their own, free of major hazards, so fencing off part of the yard close to the house for them to use is important.

Older children can be taught about farm safety but still need to be supervised at all times.

Most importantly, children learn by imitation. If you practise and value farm safety, your child will too.

Assessing the farm from a child’s point of view#

It helps to walk through your farm and assess every area according to your child’s age and ability, trying to see things as they would. What looks like a dull workspace to you might look like an ideal place to play to a child.

Educate your children about the hazards and find ways to child-proof potentially dangerous areas, for example by:

• using fences and locks
• removing the keys to machinery

General farm safety suggestions#

It is impossible to make a farm completely safe, but you can reduce the risks. General suggestions include:

• Fence off a safe play area close to the house.
• Fence off all water sources, such as dams, ponds, septic tanks, sheep dips, pools and creeks.
• Make sure hazardous areas are locked and inaccessible.
• Lock up chemicals and guns.
• Keep electrical equipment and other dangerous materials out of children’s reach.
• Do not let your child ride on farm machinery such as tractors and quad bikes.
• Make sure your child cannot climb to heights, such as onto hay stacks, and does not have access to ladders.
• Teach children about both the positive and the dangerous aspects of livestock and farm animals.

Farm rules for older children#

Older children can help around the farm, but they still need to be supervised. To encourage responsibility and caution:

• Teach the safety rules that apply to different areas of the farm.
• Make sure your child understands which areas are out of bounds, for example silos, grain-loading areas, farm machinery and animal pens.
• Be consistent. If your child breaks the rules, firmly re-explain the hazards and consequences.

Lead by example#

A child is more likely to be safety conscious if you are. Make sure your child sees you performing tasks safely, and explain the potential for danger and how injury can be avoided.

• Do not let your child, or anyone else, ride on equipment that is not designed for passengers.
• Make sure anyone using machinery has appropriate training, and do not allow untrained visitors to use it.
• Always use safety equipment, such as helmets, goggles and gloves, where necessary.
• Walk around operating machinery instead of stepping over it.
• Fit roll-over protection (ROPS) to your tractor.
• Switch off equipment before changing the settings.
• Refer to warning labels and follow the directions.
• Limit the use of motorbikes and quad bikes.
• Remove the keys from all farm vehicles when they are not in use.
• Let others know where you are going, what you will be doing and when you expect to return.
• Talk often with your child about the safety rules of the farm.

Draw up a farm emergency plan#

An emergency plan for the whole family is vital. Some suggestions include:

• Make sure there is easy access to a suitable, well-stocked first aid kit.
• Make sure at least one person on the farm is trained in first aid.
• Keep emergency numbers and correct addresses next to the telephone.
• Plan routes to the nearest hospital with an emergency department.
• Regularly talk through your emergency plan with your family and other workers.
• Make sure your children understand what to do in an emergency.

Farm first aid#

Emergency medical treatment for young children is not always the same as for adults. Ideally, all parents should take a first aid course and, if possible, one in paediatric (child) first aid. Keep your first aid kit well stocked and easy to reach.

Never hesitate to call for an ambulance if your child is injured. Know the emergency number for your area and keep it where everyone can find it.

Key points#

• Most importantly, children learn by imitation.
• It is impossible to make your farm completely safe, but you can minimize the risks.
• Remove the keys from all farm vehicles when not in use.
• Emergency medical treatment for young children is not always the same as for adults.

Where to get help#