Keeping children safe on the farm

[Netherfield]

Knowing of three deaths, one lost under silage, one hit by a mowing machine while playing hide and seek,one lost under a wheel, made me ultra careful with my daughter,I've never lived 'on the farm' so that temptation was never there for her.
But one of the most annoying things for me was going to other farms and seeing young kids without supervision, one chap had his three boys sat on the back door of the pickup,reversed in to a bale and flipped the eldest over, damaged his tendons in the process, a few weeks later I was there again and the kids were still riding on the tailgate, a few times been told to mind my own business at other places.

 

[Leereade]

A new thread as requested.

What do you do to keep your kids safe on the farm.
Do you have a way of getting home to them the dangers of machinery, slurry pits, livestock, grain sheds.

Do you have a particular film you show them, or are their educational books out there in story form.

Please be mindful, this thread has been brought about by the recent tragic loss of a childs life.

Tie them up in corner of shed with about 6ft of chain for exercise

 

[ashmore]

I disagree about men being less responsible with children. I like to pride myself on seeing the danger before it happens. All summer my kids ride their bikes around the yard. Often giving me cause to worry about tractors and grain trailers.
A stern talking to stopped them, which is an absolute shame, as I love to see them enjoying the fresh air.
A female relative of mine allowed my daughter to drive their mule. Result, written off mule, and cuts and bruses. I know it's easy to say "I could have told you so" after the event. But yes, I feel in this instance I could have.
It's time consuming, wearying, and you'll hate yourself, but knowing what their doing and where they are at all times is so important. I have to down tools and find out were they are constantly in the school holidays, and every one on the farm has the same instruction/instinct.

 

[hillman]

I'm iikewise thorn been a only child growing up no problem sit beside dad in the cab of the tractor all day happy out , if they where working with cattle put behind the wall with a bucket of sand and a few britains

Now as a father of 3 ,a girl and twin boys I'm torn , I only allow out when working with sheep , they are a great help, but if a machine starts they are inside with my parents
Tractor rides are out especially since they haven't made bunk passenger seats ....and in all honestly modern machinery nowadays is too much like an giant iPad for kids
Yes I miss them little chats and lessons I had with my father but the farm is a lot more hectic now than when I was growing up
Also when I was young yes we did foolish things but there was more adults around and you might think you where getting away with stuff but ...
Nowadays the luxury of extra bodies isn't there and with increasing red tape and pressure on all corners the mind of a farmer tends to drift off onto other scenarios and sadly all it takes is a second

Yes my kids are brought out and encouraged to help to feed andknow about life and death but times have changed

I pefer to have nobody in the yard once a key is turned in an engine

 

[llamedos]

Everything is just so much bigger now, from bales to pick up trucks and most machinery, visibility is diminished by all.

@hillman you nail it, "Times have changed"

 

[chaffcutter]

The remark about securing gates etc propped against walls is very pertinent, local farmer's daughter was killed when a gate fell onto her as she climbed it, I think she was about six. Tie them to something strong (the gates, not the children !)

 

[Alicecow]

An old man, 80+, near here slipped as he climbed over a gate that was tied not hung. Spent the night upside down and backwards over the gate before he was found the next morning. Lost the leg.
If that can happen to someone will a lifetime of experience then what chance do young children have of seeing and avoiding the dangers?