Children’s Safety Has Improved On Farm

This is National Farm Safety Week.  Scott Heiberger of the National Farm Medicine Center said some stats are moving in the right direction.

"Over the last 15 years or so, the rates of injury among farm children have gone down, and that's important because it's not just the sheer numbers, because you might expect that, with fewer kids being on farms, but the actual rates of injures."

Heiberger said efforts on the farm and by Ag organization has helped that figure drop over recent years.  In addition, he points out, attitudes over the years of farmers and ranchers about safety in their operations has also progressed.

"This generation of Millennial farmers grew up using car seats and bike helmets, and we're thinking their view of safety might be a little more open to some of these safety initiatives."

Heiberger added that farm safety concerns remain, especially regarding children ten years old or younger who are at the worksite.

National Farm Safety Week runs through Sunday.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com