Farm safety – children

Children who live on farms are more likely to be injured or killed on the farm than their parents or other farm workers. Since 2001, children under 15 years have accounted for approximately 15% of all farm-related deaths on Australian farms (235 deaths).

Common hazards include:

• drowning in dams, tanks and creeks
• injury from guns or chemicals
• accidents with tractors, quad bikes, side by sides, motorbikes, machinery and animals
• falls from heights.

Many factors increase the risk of child injury on farms, including inexperience with farming hazards (equipment or animals) and attempting tasks beyond their abilities.

Young children need a designated safe play area, away from major hazards. Fencing off part of the yard near the house helps keep them protected – ensure it has shade and engaging toys to keep them occupied. Older children can be taught about farm safety but still require constant supervision. Most importantly, children learn by watching adults – if you prioritise and practice farm safety, so will your child.

Farm risk assessment – children

It is recommended that you walk through your farm and assess every area according to the age and ability of your child. Try to see things from your child’s point of view. What may seem like a dull workspace to you could appear to them as an exciting place to explore and play.

Educate your children about what the hazards are and take steps to make these areas safer, such as using fences and locks and removing keys to machinery and vehicles.

General farm safety suggestions for children

It is impossible to make your farm completely risk-free, however you can take steps to reduce dangers. Suggestions include:

• Fence off a safe play area close to the house.
• Where possible, fence off all water sources such as dams, ponds, septic tanks, sheep dips, pools and creeks.
• Make sure that hazardous areas are locked and inaccessible (e.g. chemical and gun storage).
• Ensure electrical equipment and other dangerous materials are out of reach of children.
• Don’t let your child ride on farm machinery, such as tractors and quad bikes.
• Ensure your child doesn’t have access to any ladders and doesn’t climb to heights (such as on hay stacks).
• Teach children about both the positive and dangerous aspects of livestock and farm animals.
• Actively supervise children when they are on the farm.
• Set clear safety rules for children on the farm and lead by example.

Farm rules for older children

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

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

Farm safety – lead by example

Children learn by imitation. A child is more likely to be safety conscious if you are. Make sure your child sees you performing tasks safely. Explain the potential for danger and how injury can be avoided. Lead by example:

• Don’t let your child, or any other person, ride on farm machinery that isn’t designed for passengers.
• Limit the use of quad bikes. Children under 16 years should not ride on quad bikes.
• 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 and quad bike.
• Switch off equipment before altering the settings.
• Refer to warning labels and follow directions.
• Let others know where you are going, what you’ll be doing and when you expect to return.
• Talk frequently to your child about the safety rules of the farm.
• Remove the keys from all farm vehicles when not in use.

Draw up a farm emergency plan

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

• Ensure easy access to a suitable and 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

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

Never hesitate to call an ambulance if your child is injured. Throughout Australia, the standard emergency number to dial is triple zero (000).

Where to get help

• In an emergency, always call triple zero (000) for an ambulance
• Your GP (doctor)
• Victorian Poisons Information Centre Tel. 13 11 26 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• WorkSafe Victoria Tel. 1800 136 089 (advisory service) or 13 23 60 (for emergencies)
• National Centre for Farmer Health Tel. (03) 5551 8533
• Farmsafe Australia Tel. (02) 6269 5622
• Child safety resources:
  • Kidsafe Victoria Tel (03) 9036 2306
  • Farmsafe – Children on Farms
  • Victorian Farmers Federation - Child Safety on Farms: A Practical Guide for Farming Parents [PDF]