IDPH Press Release – 8/21/2008

Farm Fatalities Raise Concern

IDPH issues safety reminders for farm operators

Recent farm-related child deaths and injuries have prompted the Iowa Department of Pubic Health to remind farm operators to keep this year’s harvest safe.  The National Safety Council estimates that approximately 300 people under age 19 die and 24,000 are seriously hurt on our nation’s farms each year.  In Iowa, at least one of every five farm injuries is to a child.  IDPH statistics indicate there were 3,867 farm-related injuries and fatalities reported between 2002 and 2006.  Of that number, 367 involved children younger than 16 years of age, including 5 fatalities. 

 Since June, there have been at least five farm-related accidents in Iowa involving children, including four fatalities.  With 88,400 farms in operation in Iowa, Iowa Department of Public Health Director Tom Newton says it’s important that adults take extra caution when children are involved in farm work.  “Agriculture and farming are an important part of Iowa’s heritage,” said Newton.  “Although children raised on a farm are often comfortable around equipment and machinery, these tragedies remind us to never take safety precautions for granted.”

 As the busy harvest season continues in Iowa, there are several safety precautions regarding children to consider:

• NEVER allow riders on farm equipment or machinery.  Don’t take chances.  Don’t let your friends and family ride with you.  Any motorized farm vehicle such as lawn mowers, ATVs, cargo areas of pickups, and combines that have only one operator’s seat should have only one person on board.

• Teach proper driving techniques to youth old enough to operator tractors.

• Provide an enclosed and safe play area for children, away from machinery or where work is occurring on the farm.

 For more information on farm safety, visit www.public-healthuiowa.edu/ICASH/.