Media contact:
Misti Preston
Phone: (573) 751-8596
Misti.Preston@mda.mo.gov

For Immediate Release: September 17, 2007

Ag Department Reminds of the Importance of Safe Farming

Director of Agriculture Encourages Schools to Add Farm Safety to Curriculum

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – This week, the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding Missourians of the importance of using safety precautions when farming or visiting a farm. Today, MDA Director Katie Smith encouraged Missouri school administrators through an email to add farm safety to classroom curriculum during National Farm Safety Week or anytime this school year.

“Thousands of children are injured and hundreds are killed every year by hazards found on the farm,” said Smith. “Some of these children face injuries and even death while working on their home farm or neighbor’s farm or simply by wandering onto others farms and stumbling upon hazardous areas. We are reminding parents and children to practice safety on farms.”

National Farm Safety and Health Week celebrated through this Sunday is an annual promotion from the National Safety Council commemorating the hard work, diligence and sacrifices of our nation’s farmers.

“Many resources are available for teachers to easily teach their classrooms the importance of taking precautions,” said Smith. “Setting a good example for children is a priority when transitioning farming over to the next generation. Life on the farm continues to pose many risks to children and farm families, but if we make our children aware of dangerous situations encouraging them to make safety first on the farm, maybe we can prevent harm to these children.”

According to the National Safety Council, there were 703 deaths and 90,000 disabling injuries nationally attributed to agriculture in 2005.  Agriculture ranks as the most dangerous industry in Missouri.

Resources available to teachers and school children of all ages include teaching tips, videos, educational packets and activity books.  Many of these resources are available through Farm Safety 4 Just Kids – an organization dedicated to increasing public awareness and understanding of the hazards to children on the farm.

The department offers the following safety tips to assist in keeping farmers and their families safe:

• Get plenty of rest during long work periods and take frequent breaks.
• Never allow extra riders on tractors or let underage drivers operate farm vehicles.
• Don’t wear loose clothing or dangling jewelry when working with farm machinery.
• Make sure that all equipment is in proper working order.
• Discuss safety issues as a family and determine age-appropriate farm chores.
• Take the entire family on a walk to identify potentially harmful situations.
• Make sure chemicals are clearly marked and are stored in secure, locked places.
• Be prepared for emergencies: Learn first aid and keep emergency numbers handy.

For more information and to learn more about farm safety visit MDA’s Web site at www.mda.mo.gov.

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