Air January 12, 2005

Thank you Jerry, and good morning everyone. By the end of the first full week of January we'd already had 175% of normal January precipitation. I'm glad it didn't all come as snow, and I wonder what the rest of the month will bring us?

Some recently released data from the Department of Health and Human services presented some data that really comes as no surprise to many of us. Youth who reside and work on farms are exposed to potentially dangerous farm hazards more frequently than other youth. Now there's a profound statement that should surprise none of us! As part of the normal chores, that these kids are expected to do, they drive large powerful equipment, they are around livestock, they ride horses quite frequently they are performing work on machinery that would be classified as heavy equipment in the construction business. Over 1 million kids live on active US farms and about 16 out of every 1,000 will have receive an injury requiring medical attention each year. Perhaps somewhat concerning is that the 10 to 15 year olds have the highest injury rate at 21 per 1,000. Not surprisingly, extremities were the most commonly injured body part with arm, hand, wrist and fingers and feet, ankles and toes all having equal risk of injury and accounting for nearly 50% of all injuries. Next was the head and skull at 13% and legs at 10%. A broken bone or fracture was the most common injury at 1/3 of all reported accidents. Cuts and lacerations were second at 17% and serious bruises or contusions third at 10%. When those kids injure something, they do it up right. Here's the one that surprised me. 27% of accidents occurred on floors, walkways or on the ground. Accidents involving other people, animals, plant or minerals came in at 22% and vehicles at 18%. I would have thought vehicles would have been number 1. Here's the bottom line. The safety of these youth, of our youth, depends on the parents and other adults that train and supervise them. Kids learn quickest by example, so always make sure that you are working safely to set a good example. Send those 14 and 15 year olds to hazerdous occupation safety and training programs like the Extension Office and Farm Bureau will be hosting in a few months. And always remember, they are just kids - don't expect them to think, act or react like adults, because they aren't but want to give them the chance to get there!

This is Chuck Otte, Geary County Extension Agent, with Ag Outlook 2005.

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