Safety Tips for Children Spending their Summer at Home or on the Farm

While June 21 marks the official start of the summer season; for many, summer kicks off several days sooner when the school year concludes. As students begin their summer break, the long, hot days and weeks ahead will be filled with outdoor activities. Even with school not in session, it is still important to keep one subject at the forefront – safety! While some youth may be home unsupervised, others may be spending their summer helping on the farm or ranch. No matter the case, families should begin important conversations about safety expectations.

For children at home, start by establishing safety rules and boundaries for when no adults are present or providing supervision. Remind children to be mindful about what is shared on social media, as what may seem like a simple post can alert others that they are home alone. Older children, especially those who may be providing childcare for their younger siblings, should know what to do if an emergency occurs. Babysitting and childcare training courses are available for children through organizations like The American Red Cross and YMCA. Parents should also identify a trusted neighbor that can either check in or be available in the case of an emergency. Popular smartphone apps, like Life360, also can assist parents to track and identify the location of their children. Children preparing meals should understand ways to stay safe around stovetops, ovens, and microwaves, along with knives and other sharp objects. Reinforce the importance of reading product directions before cooking and provide tips to prevent fires and burns, as well as what to do if they occur.

For children who may be spending their summer on the farm, parents and grandparents will resume the role of teacher. Therefore, it is imperative to always role model safe and healthy behaviors. While all children may want to help on the farm, it is important to only assign developmentally appropriate tasks to the child. Never allow children to climb or ride on equipment and designate safe play areas. Discuss the risks around equipment and livestock, identify and role model safety by reinforcing the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) while completing certain tasks. Discuss the importance of staying hydrated and taking breaks. Share scenarios and have children consider the consequences of cutting corners or being distracted, like using their phones or other devices, while completing tasks. Also, be mindful of youth visitors to the farm. One should never assume they are fully aware of the risks. Therefore, share that the farm is a busy, active workplace and enforce the safety rules.

According to the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety, about every three days in the United States, a child dies due to an agriculture-related incident and around 33 children are injured each day due to an agriculture-related incident. The leading sources of fatalities among youth are comprised of 47% involving transportation (including tractors); 20% involving contact with machinery; and 13% involving violent incidents with animals and other humans. 79% of these children were not working on the farm when the injury occurred. Therefore, to best protect the non-working, younger children on the farm, create a safe play area with limited exposure to hazards such as traffic, agricultural production, and environmental concerns.

The “Safety Day Corner” is a safety message by the Progressive Agriculture Foundation® (PAF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, with the mission to provide education, training, and resources to make farm, ranch, and rural life safer and healthier for all children and their communities. Recognized as the largest rural safety and health education program for children in North America, the Foundation’s Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® program, has reached millions of individuals since 1995. For more information about PAF and its programs, visit: www.progressiveag.org.