High-visibility jackets to improve safety of children on farms

A farm animal veterinary practice in Wales has handed out high-visibility jackets to farming families as part of their #besafeandbeseen campaign to promote farm safety and raise awareness of the dangers for children on farms. 

Vet and director of Prostock Vets, Sarah- Jane Redman said: "There is a misconception that when you have your children with you on farm they are safe because they are with you all the time, but that is not always the case."

Farm safety 

Ms Redman recognised that for a lot farmers they ‘love what they do' and they love to see ‘the kids get involved' with tasks on the farm.

"That mentality of the farmer to encourage the next generation to enjoy being on the farm means the child is more involved than they might be in other working environments.

"Farmers are constantly working in a dangerous environment. You become so acclimatised to the fact that I have done this before and it went fine, so you become blinded by actually how dangerous the farm is."

Attitudes 

It is that 'attitude change' which Welsh dairy farmer, Tomos Davies said is critical if we are to properly address the safety of children on farms.

He said sometimes if you point out something that is dangerous, ‘people perceive it as being over the top', which is not right.

Mr Davies has four children, the youngest children are 3 and 18 months old.

"The three year old gets very excited when he sees tractors and the contractors. He is at that age that he does not realise the dangers.

"We have made an area outside the house and made them aware they do not go further than this without adults."

Young children 

He believed ‘tidiness on the farm' is important to help avoid any incidents. This included ensuring ‘manhole covers are on, laying gates on the floor rather than against the wall, and making sure contractors drIve slowly through the farm.'

He praised this safety initiative launched by Prostock vets. 

"The three year old thinks he is the man now wearing his high-visibility vest. His farming vest he calls it. It is a good thing and will make him more visible."

The hi-vis jackets will be handed out to young livestock handlers at the Royal Welsh show next week.