Safety Up! - On Children and Chores

• Allow children to prove they are capable of following the rules before giving them farm tasks to perform.
• Select chores that match the child’s mental, physical and emotional capacity.
• Introduce complex tasks only when they are age-appropriate and with proper training (such as equipment operation – machinery is the most likely source of injury on the farm).
• Train children in the proper way to safely accomplish farm tasks before assigning chores. Provide personal protective equipment and ensure it is worn properly.
• Explain techniques that will make a task easier.
• Teach safety skills in ways that are appropriate to the child’s age and abilities.
• Make age-appropriate rules. Enforce consequences consistently if they are not followed.
• Always supervise children according to their age – young children need constant supervision.

• Learn the developmental characteristics of children at specific ages and use the information as a guide. Children are often drawn to dangerous situations. Inspect your farm from a child’s point of view for obvious hazards and remove them. Where hazards are built-in, explain the danger to children and supervise appropriately.
• Place hazardous chemicals, machinery and equipment in “off limit” areas and make sure children understand the need to stay away.
• Explain warning decals found on equipment, and teach children compliance.

Age	Characteristics	Suggestions
0-5 years	Unable to understand cause and effect Illogical “magic” thinking Fascinated by movement	Supervise carefully Use physical barriers, i.e., locks and fences Provide safe distractions Prohibit riding on machinery
5-10 years	Inconsistent use of logic Wishes to seem competent Wants adult approval Unaware of realistic danger (kidnapping or war, rather than falling off of machinery)	Provide consistent rules Discuss safe behaviour Assign simple farm chores with careful supervision
10-13 years	More physical, mental skills Physical development often outstrips mental and emotional maturity Wants social/peer approval Wishes to practise new skills without constant supervision	Enforce consistent rules with consequences and rewards Expose youth to machinery by letting them assist with maintenance Talk to peers who’ve been hurt in farm incidents
13-16 years	Desire to experiment Strong need for peer acceptance May resist adult authority	Enforce consistent rules Begin tractor training, supervised use of tractors Encourage safety projects through 4-H or other youth groups
16-18 years	Increased sense of adult responsibility, competence Wants to be supportive, to do adult work Need to take risks Feelings of “immortality”	Use clear, consistent rules regarding drugs and alcohol Reward acceptance of adult responsibilities Provide opportunity to be a role model in safety

• Modify the rules for your farm to match the age and stage of each family member.
• Encourage children to get involved in farm safety projects in the community, either through youth groups or as a family.
• Teach children proper safety skills and be a role model in your daily work.
• Provide direction ahead of time about how to handle an emergency situation.
• Ensure all children know how to contact emergency services.
• Provide first aid training for at least some family members.
• Ensure children know the location of an accessible first aid kit and fire extinguisher. Provide instructions on using the fire extinguisher to older children.

• Respect all animals, including livestock and household pets.
• Be calm, move slowly and avoid loud noises around animals.
• Avoid animals with babies, and stay away from the back end of all animals.
• Approach large animals at the shoulder.
• Never handle stallions, bulls, rams and boars.
• Always have an escape route.