Most importantly, children learn by imitation. If you practice and value farm safety, so will your child. Children who are physically able to be involved in farm work should be assigned age-appropriate tasks and continually trained to perform them. They should also be constantly supervised.

Walk through your farm and assess every area for hazards that could injure children. Try to see things from your child’s point of view according to their age, size and ability. Correct obvious hazards.

 For young children, design a fenced “safe play area.” This area should be near the house and away from work activities.

² Fatality and hospitalized injury statistics taken from Agricultural Fatalities and Hospitalizations in Ontario 1990 – 2008, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services, 2011.