Agriculture is the most hazardous industry in the United States. Accidents occur frequently with both adults and children. Thus, it is important that children, as well as adults, know how to handle emergency situations. Basic life-saving principles that parents can share with their children are discussed in the following sections.
The most fundamental lesson parents and grandparents should teach children is how to contact emergency assistance. This may seem trivial, but it can make the difference between life and death. Parents and grandparents can review the following steps with children. Note: It is very important that children know where they live and how to get to their home!
In addition to the emergency number for your area, children should know the poison control number. Family members should also know where other members of the family are working and what time they are expected to return. If they are not home by the expected time, someone should look for them. Many accident victims could have been saved if help would have arrived sooner.
It is essential that children know that they should not enter a silo or grain bin to rescue another person. If someone is caught in one of these structures and a child enters, then they too can become trapped. The child does need to know how to turn off an operating auger and turn on a fan, if one is present, and then get assistance.
The same principle applies to manure dangers. If someone enters a manure storage area and is overcome by the gases, a child or adult should not enter the area to rescue the person. Instead, the child should call the fire department so proper breathing equipment can be brought to rescue the person.
Children should be taught where and how to turn off all farm machinery. If a person becomes entangled, a child could save his/her life by turning off the equipment and then getting help.
Parents and grandparents should remind children to be very cautious and alert when around any animal on the farm. Children need to be aware of their location so they do not end up behind an animal and get stepped on or kicked. Running or screaming around animals can cause the animal to become spooked, which could lead to injury to a child. Children also need to be warned to stay away from any farm animal with its young. A new mother can quickly turn on a child if she feels her young are threatened.
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL FAMILY MEMBERS TAKE A FIRST-AID COURSE.
Very often it is a family member who is the first on the scene of a farm accident. If this person knows how to properly respond to the emergency situation it could mean the difference between life and death. Therefore, any time spent learning first-aid is time well spent.
FIRST: GO TO THE NEAREST TELEPHONE
SECOND: DIAL THE EMERGENCY NUMBER
THIRD: WHEN SOMEONE ANSWERS, THEY WILL NEED TO KNOW:
FOURTH: DON'T HANG UP UNTIL YOU ASK IF YOU SHOULD!
The following is a review of the basic steps required to perform Rescue Breathing & CPR. Note: It is strongly suggested that parents, grandparents and children take a CPR and first-aid course. For more information, contact your county office of Ohio State University Extension or the health department in your county.
1. Check for unresponsiveness.
2. Position the victim.
3. Open the airway.
4. Check for breathlessness.
5. Give 2 full breaths.
6. Check for carotid pulse.
7. Phone EMS for help.
8. Begin rescue breathing.
9. Recheck carotid pulse.
10. What to do next:
11. CPR:
12. What to do next.
American Red Cross. American Red Cross Standard First Aid.
All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.
Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director, OSU Extension.
TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868