Child safety on farms

Children who live on farms are more likely to be injured or killed on the farm than their parents or other farm workers. About 20 children die every year in Australia as a result of farm injuries. Machinery, tractors, animals and water can all be dangerous for farm children.

Create child-proof play areas and make sure you teach your child about farm safety and teach them how to swim. Keep young children away from dams, creeks, tanks, troughs, dips and channels because they are a major cause of toddler drownings on farms. At an appropriate age, teach them to ride horses and motorbikes with great care and insist they always wear helmets.