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Ciaran Roche
FBD Risk Manager

Child safety: prevent the unthinkable

Ciaran Roche, FBD risk manager, addresses the serious risk posed to children on farms and outlines the ways in which their safety is prioritised and achieved on the farm, especially as the summertime approaches

Farms are wonderful places for children to grow up, offering fresh air, hands-on learning, and a connection to nature. However, farms are also among the most dangerous environments for young people. In the decade between 2014 and 2023, 17 children have lost their lives in farm accidents in Ireland. The significant number of child fatalities provides a stark reminder of the dangers on farms and all of these tragic accidents have had a devastating affect on the families and communities. For those affected by serious or fatal accidents, organisations such as Embrace FARM provide vital support during difficult times. But the best way to prevent such heartbreak is through proactive safety measures.

The alarming reality

Data from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) show that 82 per cent of child fatalities on Irish farms involve vehicles such as tractors and quads, and 12 per cent of the fatalities involve machinery.
Children, by nature, are curious and lack a full understanding of risk. Unlike adults, they may not recognise the dangers posed by fast-moving vehicles, unpredictable animals, or hazardous substances. That’s why it is critical to enforce strict safety measures, educate children about farm dangers, and break hazardous habits that may have been passed down through generations.

Five essential safety measures

1 - Establish a safe play area
A farm is not a playground! The best way to balance both is by designating a secure play area, well away from potential hazards. A good play area should be fenced off to prevent access to machinery or animals, and be within clear sight of a responsible adult.

2 - Supervise at all times
Children should never be left unsupervised on a working farm. Even a brief lapse in attention can lead to serious consequences. Bringing children along while completing farm tasks provides valuable teaching moments, but only if safety remains the top priority. It must be clear to the child that they can only visit the farm when with a responsible adult.

3 - Keep children away from vehicles
With farm vehicles responsible for most child fatalities, strict exclusion zones around operating machinery are crucial.
Key safety rules for vehicles:

  • Never allow children to ride as passengers on tractors or quad bikes.
  • Always check for children before starting or reversing machinery. 
  • Educate children about the dangers of playing near moving vehicles. 

Following the Code of Practice on Preventing Accidents to Children and Young Persons in Agriculture is essential for ensuring proper vehicle safety standards on farms.

4 - Secure hazardous areas
Farms are filled with potential dangers, from deep slurry pits to unstable hay bales. Children’s natural curiosity can lead them into life-threatening situations.
Prevent accidents by:

  • Installing child-proof fencing around high-risk areas (e.g., chemical stores, machine zones, slurry pits).
  • Keeping doors to hazardous areas locked at all times.
  • Teaching children to recognise and avoid dangerous zones.

5 - Teach livestock safety
Farm animals can be unpredictable, particularly bulls, stallions, rams, and female livestock with newborns. A startled or aggressive animal can seriously injure a child in seconds.
Best practices for livestock safety:

  • Never allow children to enter enclosures with animals.
  • Teach children to respect livestock and recognise warning signs of aggression.
  • Maintain a safe distance and reinforce caution around animals. 

Call to action

Preventing child injuries and fatalities on farms requires a proactive approach. Safety must become a core part of daily routines – an ingrained habit rather than an afterthought.
By prioritising safe play areas, close supervision, vehicle precautions, secure hazardous zones, and livestock safety, we can create a safer farm environment for the next generation. The responsibility falls on all of us – parents, grandparents, farm workers, and the wider agricultural community. Let’s ensure that farms remain places of learning, growth, and joy – not tragedy.

Take action today 

Review your farm’s safety measures and discuss them with your family. A few simple changes could save a life.

Data source 

Health and Safety Authority Fatalities in Agriculture Data (2014-2023).

For more farm safety information, scan the code

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