"Not Just For Farmers Anymore"

In 1944, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the proclamation declaring the third week of September to be National Farm Safety and Health Week!  The agriculture industry is the most dangerous in the United States having a death rate of 3.2%!  As you are reading this, I’m sure you’re thinking I don’t live on a farm so why should I learn farm safety.  Well my answer is as clear as the title of the article!

                You are driving down a road used by many farmers and you’re speeding because you are going to be late for a meeting, when suddenly you rear-end a tractor causing him to roll over.  Now what could you have done differently to have prevented this, it’s as simple as learning farm safety.  During harvest season, you will see more tractors on the road trying to get the job done before the winter snow falls. While driving on a rural roads, you should always look for signs of a farm or farm equipment.  All farm equipment should be labeled with an orange triangle displayed on the back warning you that it’s a slow moving vehicle.  I know many of you get impatient when following slow moving vehicles but always remain calm and have some patience; the driver will pull over when possible, they don’t drive on the road to torture you, they do it to feed you.  To ensure your safety, follow at a safe distance so the driver can see that you are behind them.  Do not honk because most likely they won’t hear you over the engine.  Also, set a good role model for the children in the car so when they start driving they know the correct way to drive.  Now with this knowledge you won’t become one of the many statistics, last year in Pennsylvania there were 87 accidents involving farm equipment with two being fatal.

                Throughout the week, don’t forget to learn other safety rules!  When outside in the woods preparing for archery season, remember to wear long pants and always check for ticks the moment you come back in.  Riding ATVs can always be fun until someone gets hurt so remember your protective gear!  Also label all chemicals because it can be difficult to determine which one is a chemical or a drink.  If you would like to know more about farm safety hop on farmsafetyforjustkids.org and if you would like to have a presentation for your organization email me at sarah15.jefferis@gmail.com.