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Toddlers on the farm: Great rewards and significant risks
For the Health of It: The farm is a marvelous place to raise children, but farm families need to be aware of the significant risks around farming to keep their children safe.
August 23, 2024
3 Min Read
BE MINDFUL: The farm is a great place to raise a family, but there are plenty of dangers around any farming operation as well. Great care must be taken to keep children safe and healthy while still enjoying all the benefits of growing up in a farm family.University of Nebraska Medical Center
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By Ellen Duysen
Those of us who are in the process of raising or have already raised toddlers on a farm understand that there is a unique set of rewards and risks. Balancing these factors requires careful planning and safety measures to ensure the well-being of the children while making the most of the enriching experiences a farm can offer.
Farm life provides educational opportunities for toddlers to learn about animals, plants and life cycles. These experiences can foster curiosity and a deep, lasting connection to nature. Being raised on a farm helps children understand where their food comes from and the hard work required to produce it.
Farms provide space for physical activity, benefiting toddlers' motor skills and overall health. Activities such as running, climbing and exploring help develop coordination and strength. Being involved in farm chores, even in small ways, can teach toddlers about responsibility, work ethic and the value of effort.
Avoiding the risks
Along with these significant benefits come risks to the safety and health of toddlers. About every three days, a child is involved in a farm fatality, and 33 children a day are injured. Although not all the children who are injured or killed are toddlers, many of them are. Some farm-related risks to toddlers are listed below:
Run-over incidents pose the greatest threat to toddlers. Farm machinery, such as tractors and combines, pose significant risks. Moving parts, loud noises, the potential for falls and run-over incidents require that toddlers stay out of the work zones.
Large animals, including cows, horses and pigs, can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Even friendly animals can accidentally harm a toddler through rough play or sudden movements.
Equipment operators may not see small children. Educating children about "no zones," places where they should never be such as behind a tractor or in a confined space, will help to keep them safe. Investing in a $5 high-visibility child's safety vest will help make toddlers visible in a work area. How about having everyone on the farm in hi-vis clothing?
Pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals used on farms can be harmful if ingested or inhaled. Proper child-proof storage is crucial to prevent accidental exposure.
Grain bins and other confined spaces present hazards that include engulfment, intoxication by fumes and drowning. These spaces need to be considered work zones and off limits for toddlers.
Farms often have uneven ground, which can be a trip-and-fall hazard. You can create toddler-friendly areas to minimize this risk. Some great suggestions for play areas can be found on the National Children's Center for Farm Safety website.
Toddlers are more susceptible to infections from animals than adults. Implement strict hygiene practices to reduce the risk of diseases and allergies.
Young children require constant supervision and education to ensure they don't wander into hazardous areas or get involved in dangerous activities. Designating safe play areas away from machinery and livestock will keep toddlers from hazardous zones.
Incorporating these strategies helps maximize the rewards of farm life while minimizing risks, ensuring that toddlers can enjoy the benefits of growing up on a farm in a safe and enriching environment.
For more information on keeping all generations safe on the farm, visit unmc.edu/publichealth/cscash/resources/resources-farm-safety.html.
Duysen is a research assistant professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health and is coordinator of the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health.
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