The theme of Farm Safety Week 2021 is ‘Farm Safety Through The Ages – From 2-92’.
Here is a link to an article by ABC News Vic Country Hour journalist Jane McNaughton, that really highlights the safety issues for children on farms. Click here to read the article.
Some key points of concern:
- Approximately 15 children are killed on Australian farms each year
- Almost one in six farm fatalities are kids.
- 15 per cent of farm deaths are children under 14 years old, according to an AgHealth Australia study
- Children have higher rates of unintentional injury and death than children in metropolitan areas.
- Dams and large bodies of water pose a drowning hazard for children.
- Quad bikes are really dangerous – many Australian children have die in quad bike accidents in recent years
- Also motorbikes and farm vehicles, such as tractors, as well as farm animals
All of these risks can me minimised or eliminated by proper supervision and farming practices that take into account childrens’ presence on the farm. More detail of strategies such as safe play areas, are shown below. Click here for a datasheet on farm safety.
Click here for some detailed information on keeping your children safe on the farm.
