Across the country, farm bureaus are making safety a top priority this spring through the Agricultural Safety Awareness Program. As a part of ASAP, March 7-13 was designated as Agricultural Safety Awareness Week.
This year’s theme, “Growing the Most Important Crop,” emphasized making farms and ranches safer for farmers, their family members and employees with special emphasis on children.
People of all ages, but particularly children, are at risk of injuries on the farm. Educating adults about reducing risks to the children in their care is critical to preventing farm and ranch incidents and fatalities.
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Jensen also points out that although it’s fun to see calves, lambs and other young animals, often the mother of a young animal may be overly protective of her young, so keep alert when in the vicinity of livestock.
Another rule: Don’t play in the grain. Grain piles and bins are not acceptable places for children to play. It takes just a few seconds for a person to be pulled down and under a flowing mass of grain, which can quickly lead to suffocation. Keeping chemicals locked away is also a good rule to follow.
“It’s wonderful to have friends and family on the farm, but make sure safety rules are explained and followed,” Jensen said. She explains that Montana Farm Bureau’s Health and Safety Committee often presents “Always Be Careful on the Farm” School Safety program to second- and fifth-graders, as well as at farm fairs, which teaches farm safety in a fun way.
According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, 100 children die in farm accidents every year in the United States, and many others are injured, often seriously. That’s why during Ag Safety Awareness Week and throughout the year, state Farm Bureaus focuse on making farms and ranches safer for farmers, their family members and employees.
“The best things to do is always keep safety in mind whether you’re out there working on your own or have kids with you,” Jensen said.
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