The Rural Voice, 2003-06, Page 30Safe for the holidays
Summer should be a carefree time for children but
on farms, there are so many dangers that can
turn it into a tragedy. Help protect your kids with
some basic safety steps.
Photo and story by Sarah Mann
An OPP officer instcts a youngster on
lawn mower safety during a special safety
day at Grey Centre < " hool in Ethel in May.
Webster's Dictionary defines
the word accident as
something which is
unexpected or unforeseen.
Most "accidents" aren't accidents,
because they could have been
prevented. These "accidents" are
mishaps and they happen because
people don't think "what if..."
If we look ahead to the "what if",
than the many mishaps that happen
with children wouldn't happen.
To prevent these mishaps from
26 THE RURAL VOICE
happening, Kelly Rankin, safety
events coordinator for the War Amps
playsafe/drivesafe program suggests
taking children for a safety walk
around your home or farm to spot the
potential hazards.
According to a 1996 report by
Health Canada, unintentional injuries
accounted for 69.6 per cent of injury -
related deaths among youth and
children under 20 years.
With school soon to be out and
summer on its way, children will be
free to play, explore, and work.
Both children and parents need to
know what they can do to stay safe
during the summer holidays.
Whether your child is riding on the
ATV, working on the farm, or
swimming in the backyard pool,
there are safety rules for each activity
which, when followed, should ensure
a safe and fun time.
Whether it's for work or play,
children who live on farms will most
likely be using an ATV during the
summer holidays.
The Canadian Institute for Health
Information says ATV injuries
requiring a hospital stay jumped by
50 per cent from 1996 to 2001 with
children and teens accounting for 36
per cent of the injuries.
Here is some information from the
Canadian ATV Distributors Council
to tell your children on how to ride
your ATV safely.
Before you begin riding, read the
owner's manual supplied with the
ATV and become familiar with the
vehicle. Practice riding techniques
away from obstacles and other riders
in an open, off-road area and have an
experienced rider assist you as ATV
riding requires special skills and
knowledge that must be learned over
a period of time.
Be sure you know the locations and
operation of all the controls which
your ATV may have: brakes, engine
stop switch, throttle, shifter, clutch,
and parking brake. To become a safe
ATV driver you must be able to find
and use the controls without looking
for them.
The nature of ATV riding demands
that protective clothing be worn.
Although complete protection is not
possible, you should never operate an
ATV without an approved helmet,
eye protection, boots, gloves, long
pants, and a long-sleeved shirt or
jacket.
The helmet is the most important
piece of safety gear for riding as it
can help prevent a serious head
injury. Your approved helmet should
fit snugly and be securely fastened.
Full face helmets help to protect the
face as well as the head. Open face
helmets are lighter and cooler and
should be used with mouth
protection.
You must be able to see clearly in
order to ride safely. A rock, branch,