By Trish Svoboda

According to the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety, each day, 33 serious injuries involving children occur on farms or ranches in the U.S. To prevent these incidents, only youth with proper training should operate large equipment, which is the leading cause of injuries. Parents must assess their child’s mental maturity rather than physical size to determine their capacity to work safely.

To enhance safety, parents should provide specialized equipment, such as installing rollover protection structures on tractors without cabs. Also, removing distractions like phones and loud music while driving is essential. Modern tractors can have a buddy seat, but parents should avoid having extra riders to prevent injuries.

Children often emulate adults, so parents must model safe behaviors and instill good habits. Creating a safe environment is crucial, as consistent safe practices lead to fewer accidents on the farm.

Tawnie Larson, a project consultant for the Kansas Agriculture Safety and Health program at Kansas State University said, “Parents need to display safe behaviors and explain to their children why. Model the job, show them how to do it, watch them do it safely, and then provide further advice as needed.”