Monthly Safety Blast

Produced by the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention and Education
August 2018

Lifeguard Your Child

PLACER COUNTY
April 13, 2015

“Two children died after driving their ATV into a pond… The boys, 3 and 5 years old, were playing on a small all-terrain vehicle on Sunday that somehow went into a backyard pond in rural Lincoln. By the time parents discovered them, it was too late.”

During the summer, children may be more present on the family farm. Engaging in farm tasks is a great way to pass the summer and learn responsibility. However, parents and children need to understand the safety risks on the farm. Most people know that machinery poses a serious risk to children who work and/or live in agricultural settings. However, did you know that drownings are the 3rd leading cause of death among children in agriculture-related incidents? Children ages 1 to 4 have the highest drowning rates. For every child who dies from drowning, another 5 are treated for nonfatal injuries. Nonfatal injuries can lead to brain damage and long-term mental disabilities. Among young children, most drownings occur in home swimming pools. In rural environments, parents also need to be aware of children’s access to ponds, lakes, stream, tanks and other bodies of water.

Many factors can contribute to drowning such as lack of supervision, curiosity, inability to swim, plant life and debris in the water. These prevention tips can keep your children safe.

 

Prevention tips:

  • Teach children to swim at a young age
  • Talk to children about water safety
  • Build fences around bodies of water
  • Properly maintain bodies of water on the farm
  • Closely supervise children on the farm-drowning is silent
  • Ensure young children wear life jackets or other approved floatation devices when swimming
  • Recognize that air-filled or foam pool toys are not life saving devices
  • Learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
  • Avoid using alcohol while supervising children
  • Adult supervision is the number one way to prevent children from drowning! A memorable summer on the farm can turn tragic in the blink of an eye. Stay safe this summer and lifeguard your child.

References:

Disclaimer: The facts and information listed above are merely suggestions for your safety, but are in no way a comprehensive and exhaustive list of all actions needed to insure your safety.

Monthly Blast by our 2018 Intern, Tristan Johnson and Program Director, Amanda Wickman

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Produced by the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention and Education. For more information, contact us at 903-877-5998 or by email to .
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