Social media and booklets in bid to keep farm children safe

WELLBEING: Warning of dangers as youngsters spend more time at home

A stark reminder has been issued to the farming industry to be on high alert to the dangers of having children at home on farms for the next few months.

Two children were among the 39 people killed on farms last year prompting the Farm Safety Foundation (FSF), otherwise known as Yellow Wellies, to issue renewed warnings about dangers while children are at home due to coronavirus restrictions.

FSF was set up by rural insurers NFU Mutual to help protect the next generation of farmers and change their attitudes towards risk-taking, and while the Covid-19 pandemic has delayed the launch of a new virtual reality education programme until

September, the organisation will use social media channels including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to share farm safety reminders over the coming weeks.

The organisation has also written two new farm safety guides – one for agricultural students and one for parents – which have been sent to all rural primary schools, land-based colleges and universities and Young Farmers’ clubs.

FSF manager Stephanie Berkeley said: “We thought it would be a good idea to put together a simple, easy to read booklet to remind everyone of the risks they will face on the farm every day.

“We don’t know how long this situation will last and our wonderful NHS workers are already feeling the strain of dealing with the spread of Covid-19. We need to take responsibility for our own safety and the safety of our loved ones and not risk any of us having a farm accident that will add to a workforce already under pressure.

“They are working hard to keep us safe so the least we can do is farm safe for them.”

Picture: Shutterstock. Agriculture has one of the poorest safety records of any occupation in the UK.