Wisconsin Ag Connection - Farm Safety Webinar to Focus on Children & Tractors

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Farm Safety Webinar to Focus on Children & Tractors
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 09/17/2018

This is National Farm Safety & Health Week and the Marshfield Clinic-based National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety is planning a webinar to discuss the importance of keeping children safe around tractors. The presentation, which is titled 'Children and tractors: myths, facts or 'other,' will take place at noon on September 19.

Presenter Marsha Salzwedel, M.S. will discuss the risks and benefits associated with children on the farm.

"We do get calls about babies on tractors," Salzwedel said. "Parents and grandparents may see this as a way to foster an interest in farming, but truth is, the farm worksite is a dangerous place for infants and toddlers."

The webinar is part of the AgriSafe Network. Salzwedel says she hopes participants can find ways to nurture an interest in farming in children while stressing how youth can work safely in and around tractors.

"Tractors and equipment are a leading cause of injury and fatality for infants and children, and many of the myths surrounding them contribute to the problem," she explained. "But buddy seats are not designed to adequately restrain a child's car seat, nor are the seat belts designed for small children. And it should never be assumed that cabs, even with locked doors, will provide protection."

The webinar is free, but attendees must register at www.agrisafe.org.

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