COUNTRY issues safety reminders

This week and every week, COUNTRY Financial raises awareness of the health and safety risks America’s farmers face.

Every year, more than 12,000 youth are hurt in an agriculture related incident – even more adults add to the devastatingly high numbers. That’s why National Farm Safety and Health Week is focusing on “Farm Safety – A Legacy to Be Proud Of.”

“The number of young people who are injured or killed each year in agriculture-related accidents is upsetting,” said Eric Vanasdale, senior loss control representative at COUNTRY Financial. “No one wants to see the life of a child lost, especially when precautions could’ve been taken to decrease the risk of having an accident.”

Statistics surrounding the number of child deaths related to the industry are startling for those younger than 18. The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agriculture Health and Safety reports:

· Close to 893,000 youth lived on farms in 2014.

· Around 33 children are hurt in an ag-related incident every day.

“America’s ag workers don’t just work on farms, many live on these homesteads,” said Vanasdale. “Their kids work alongside them, putting them at risk of being hurt or killed.”

The leading sources of ag-related child deaths:

· 25 percent involve machinery

· 17 percent involve motor vehicles (including ATV’s)

· 16 percent involve drowning