WITH schools now on summer holidays the dangers that farms can pose to children have been highlighted by gardaí in Clare.

“Now that schools are over and the weather is hopefully starting to get good, kids are out and about on farms, but farms are a workplace and unfortunately children are killed every year on farms,” warns Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks.

“Never allow a child onto a farmyard unless they are closely supervised by an adult. It’s not possible to safely look after your child and work on the farm at the same time.”
She has issued advice to those who live on a farm saying, “Keep children out of work areas. Have a fenced off safe play area in view of your home. Have easy to read danger signs and tell children what they mean.”

All unattended vehicles should be locked and the keys removed and kept away from children. Safety measures should be put in place when finished using machinery. Lower all loaders to the ground and guard all moving parts of machinery. “Keep children at a safe distance from livestock. Supervise children if they are close to or feeding any animal and fit correct fencing and gates.”

Empty, fence off or safely cover anything that can collect water including wells, ponds, drains, soak pits and water tanks and fence off exposed areas including slurry pits. “Even a shower of rain can fill a container enough for a child to drown in.”And make sure there is no access to high areas on the farm. “Don’t let children play on bales – they can fall off them or between them and suffocate,” she concludes.