March 20, 2012 • Page 16 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Safety essential when taking kids to visit a farm Kids often find farms fascinating places to visit. Playing with animals and running around in the vast outdoors are just what many kids adore. As fun as farms can be for kids, parents know they can be equally as dangerous, especially for kids visiting farms on vacation or school trips. Fortunately, there are many ways concerned parents can protect their farm-friendly kids without taking the fun out of their next visit. Protection from chemicals Kids must be protected from chemical exposure on the farm. Exposure can happen in a number of ways, be it inhaling or breathing chemicals into the lungs or contact between chemicals and the skin or eyes. Kids can even ingest chemicals by eating or swallowing something on the farm. Protecting kids from chemicals, such as pesticides, on the farm requires that parents educate children about caution or warning labels. Teach kids to stay away from items with caution labels. A caution label is typically used to indicate hazardous items that can cause minor or moderate injury. Warning labels are often used to indicate items that cause more serious injuries and possibly death. Another way parents can protect kids from chemical exposure is to be a good role model. When using chemicals, also be especially careful, wearing protective clothing and discarding containers and other FOR ALL YOUR AUTOMOTIVE, TRUCK AND TRACTOR PARTS COME TO: materials properly. Make sure all containers are tightly closed and stored in locked cabinets that are out of reach of curious kids. Protection from animals Animals present a major hazard to kids when kids visit the farm. Many kids love animals, and that love often takes precedence over safety. When kids are visiting a farm with livestock or other animals, parents should emphasize the following points so kids can enjoy the animals without risking injury. * Remain calm and move slowly and quietly when around animals. * Avoid an animal's hind legs and approach larger animals at the shoulder. * Steer clear of animals with newborns, no matter how cute and cuddly such animals might appear. * Wear proper attire, including steel toed shoes. Kids should always wear helmets when riding animals. Additional safety Though fun places to visit, farms pose many hazards to children. Parents must emphasize safety when visiting farms with kids in tow. measures parents can take include keeping kids away from stallions, bulls, boars, and rams, and emphasizing the importance of having an accessible escape route whenever working with HUBBS AGENCY, INC. “Get the good stuff!” “The Crop Insurance Specialists” Bearings – Batteries – Filters Automotive • Truck • Agricultural • Marine Ph. 877-260-5126 or 605-260-5126 Fax 605-260-5128 COX AUTO SUPPLY 1007 Broadway • Yankton, SD • 605-665-4494 Dave Hubbs 605-661-2085 Jerrold McDonald 605-661-2844 Dave Hoxeng 605-661-1136 Justin Hans 402-841-4672 animals. Protection from grains A host of hazards exist on a typical farm, and grain equipment is no exception. Though flowing grain might not excite kids who have been around it, kids are often fascinated when they witness grain production on a farm for the first time. It's very easy for kids to get trapped in grain or swept away by flowing grain, the force of which is difficult to understand by those who have never seen grain production close up. When visiting a farm, parents should ensure that all access doors to grain storage structures are locked before letting kids out of their sight. In addition, ask if it's possible to shut off power to grain-producing equipment. Keep kids away from grain wagons and do not permit them to enter grain storage areas. When taking kids to farms with heavy grain production, employ the buddy system and ensure each child has an adult with them at all times. Farms are fun places for kids, but parents must be diligent and emphasize safety when visiting a farm with their children. Almost NEW Mechanical Front Wheel Drive finding the right job is easier than you think John Deere Tractors Noly Poppe 402-640-1306 info@perfecthay.com • www.perfecthay.com when you’ve got the right direction Stop searching. 3609 West 8th • Yankton Ph. (605) 665-7433 (866) 293-7433 www.allseasonspowersportsinc.com The Help Wanted section of the Missouri Valley Shopper lists many possible new job opportunities. Find a career that’s right for you. SHOPPER MISSOURI VALLEY From 29 to 65 Meters 80’ Telebelts