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News
Farm Safety a Concern as Harvest Nears
Posted 26 August 2008
Recent farm-related child deaths
and injuries across the state have prompted the Iowa Department of
Public Health to remind farm operators to keep this year's harvest
safe.
The National Safety Council estimates that approximately 300 people
under age 19 die and 24,000 are seriously hurt on our nation's farms
each year. In Iowa, at least one of every five farm injuries is to a
child.
IDPH statistics indicate there were 3,867 farm-related injuries and
fatalities reported between 2002 and 2006. Of that number, 367 involved
children younger than 16 years of age, including 5 fatalities.
Since June, there have been at least five farm-related accidents in
Iowa involving children, including four fatalities.
With 88,400 farms in operation in Iowa, Iowa Department of Public
Health Director Tom Newton says it's important that adults take extra
caution when children are involved in farm work. "Agriculture and
farming are an important part of Iowa's heritage," said Newton.
"Although children raised on a farm are often comfortable around
equipment and machinery, these tragedies remind us to never take safety
precautions for granted."
As the busy harvest season continues in Iowa, there are several safety
precautions regarding children to consider:
NEVER allow riders on farm equipment or machinery. Don't take chances.
Don't let your friends and family ride with you. Any motorized farm
vehicle such as lawn mowers, ATVs, cargo areas of pickups, and combines
that have only one operator's seat should have only one person on
board.
Teach proper driving techniques to youth old enough to operate
tractors.
Provide an enclosed and safe play area for children, away from
machinery or where work is occurring on the farm.
For more information on farm safety, visit www.public-health.uiowa.edu/ICASH/.
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