Coalition: More Needs To Be Done To Teach Kids Farm Safety ANDY ANDREWS Lancaster Farming Staff LANCASTER (Lancaster Co.) One fanner recalled a bam par ty in which a boy slid across the floor into a plywood hay hole cov er. The plywood slid aside and the boy plummeted head first to his Shari Burgus, director of program services for Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, Earlham, lowa, spoke at the Lancaster County Coalition of Safe Kids meeting on Monday night. Burgus provided various examples of ways in which the local chapter can imple ment a range of educational activities, Including day camps, with Information on how to teach kids safety on the farm. One of those Items she handed out was a book let, “Teaming Up: A Farm Safety Walkabout For Kids,” written in collaboration with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of lowa and the Univer sity of lowa. Rotational Grazing At Field Day OXFORD (Chester Co.) On July 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Lindenhof Farm on Route 472 in Oxford near southern Lancaster County will host a field day to showcase their long-term grazing sys tem. Millie, Widmann and Axel Linde own and operate the 70-cow Guernsey dairy farm. The Linde’s have used rotational grazing for more than 40 years and the herd is second in the state for pounds of milk production in the Guernsey breed. They have also de veloped an extensive and unique watering system for their cattle and have recently ex panded their dairy fa cility. The Lindenhof Field Day is sponsored by Penn State Cooperative Extension and Atlantic Dairy Cooperative. For further informa tion, contact Leon Ress ler at Lancaster County Cooperative Extension, (717) 394-6851. Lunch will be avail able to purchase on site. death. A nurse recalled treating a 13-year-old who survived a fall through a similar hole, but endured a long hospital stay from traumatic head injuries. A 4-year-old girl was riding on a wagon when she fell off. breaking vertebrae in her neck, nearly kill ing her. The list goes on. Four years of age “is probably one of the most dangerous ages for children on the farm,” said Shari Burgus, director of program ser vices for Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, Earlham, lowa. Burgus was invited to speak to the Lancaster County Coalition of Safe Kids meeting on Monday night Although four years of age is statistically the most dangerous in terms of death and severe injury for children (because of their cur iosity), the age of 14 can be just as deadly. This is true because ado lescents are given more responsi bility and often aren’t supervised. They’re still learning the ways of the farm. Burgus told the group of 3S far mers, health professions, educa tors, medical technicians, and others at the meeting that 14-year olds often feel “invincible. “They are doing more activities on the farm,” she said. Burgus spoke about some of the things that a group such as the Lan caster coalition can do to help promote safety. One such idea is a “safety camp” that can review aspects of safety for children in the farm community including Plain farms. Linda Rebum, a registered nurse in the trauma unit at Lancas ter General, said that it is often dif ficult to teach youngsters in the Amish community. “It’s not that (the parents) are neglecting the children,” she said. “I just don’t think that they have the proper knowledge to present to them.” Often, older children at a young age are beset with the responsibili ty to watch younger children on the farm. “You can’t expect the 6- or 7-year-old (child) to watch the HEAVY DUTY HOOF TRIMMING TABLES ; SO%OSKk , ~v : ~* * * * 2 10-inch lift belts • 3500 lb. axle with or without brakes - >* *<BWWWWBBBi mtKKKm#k¥ 1 THREE MODELS TO CHOOSE: 1. PORTABLE 2. STATIONARY 3. 3 POINT HITCH Bbrkelman’s Wblding-i RR 7, AYLMER, ONTARIO, CANADA NSH 2R6 1 2-year-old that’s how many of these (accidents) happen. It shouldn’t be that way.’’ Also, according to Rebum, one year she helped treat sevdn patients kicked by a mule. One involved a 4-year-old. One 7-year-old died as a result of being kicked. Farming, a dangerous occupa tion by all statisitics, in general has the highest rates of death and severe injuries leading to disabili ty, said Dr. Butch Wieland, Lan caster General Hospital staff and chairman of the farm safety com mittee. Every year, 300 farm child ren die in ag-related accidents in the U.S., and 5,000 are severely injured, often leading to perman ant disability. In a Penn State study conducted from 1985-1989, of 73 ag-related accidents, 14 fatalities were under the age of 20. • tool box for D.C. pump and battery protection • manure grate to keep work area dean (519) 765-4230 caster Coun Four years of age “is probably one of the most dangerous ages for children on the farm,” said Shari Burgus, director of program services for Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, center. From left, William Sheehan, chairman of the coalition; Burgus; and Dr. Butch Wieland, chairman of the farm safety committee. • 12-year building experience in die tables design • • 2"x2" tube frame chute * chute measures 75"x28"x 72" high • 4” casters for cradle fold-up • Two hydraulic cylinders for extra stability • fold away side gate • removeable head board • 45 min. video from International Hoof Trimming School of Canada Delivery Available Most accidents (54.6 percent) are the result of tractors overturn ing. with extra riders. The coalition and other groups strongly oppose extra riders on tractors, because few, if any, trac tors are made to support more than one operator. Other accidents involve harvest ing machinery and related hazards inherent to fanning. Burgus provided various exam ples of ways in which the local chapter can implement a range of educational activities, including day camps, with information on how to teach kids safety on the farm. One of those items she handed out was a booklet, “Teaming Up: A Farm Safety Walkabout For Kids,’’ written in collaboration with the Blue Cross and Blue \ * \ ; & >' - > •N. ' > ' t * < < 'Tv 1 ' jS*' HORSE STALL BARN Let Our Experience Work For You • Dairy Complexes And • Workshop And Machinery Replacement Stock Facilities Storage Buildings • Horse Stall Barns And Riding • Timber Column Buildings For Arenas Light Commercial S 4 AGRI — INC* Tho Construction Professionals 151 E. Farmersvllle Rd., Ephrata, PA 17522 ffflQSl • (717) 354-4271 Serving The Agricultural Industry For Over 25 Years Shield of lowa and the University of lowa. She told the group that the activ ities worked very, very well and got a good response. William Sheehan, Lancaster postmaster and chairman of the local coalition, said that about 8,000 kids a year in this country die from injuries. The goal of the coalition is to prevent those injuries. "If you would stop and think about it, if this were a disease, we would be fighting an epidemic," he said. ‘ ‘And the cure is right here in this room. It (involves) respon sible adults who take the time to see what we can do to save our kids.” “Education is key," said Bur gus. "Anything we can do even to prevent one injury is worth it.” ,‘V. • ,\x ,■ ; ;MV^ I ■1 ? ‘ <v * MEMBER
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