Tractor tragedy happened “in a second”

National Farm Medicine Center urges caution on the farm

The death this spring of a four-year-old Oklahoma boy who fell off a tractor and into the blades of a trailing mower has rekindled frustration among safety experts regarding adults who allow children to ride tractors.

Barbara Lee, Ph.D., director of the National Farm Medicine Center (NFMC) at Marshfield Clinic, said a shared commitment to end this traditional but dangerous practice led NFMC and other farm safety organizations to form a network two years ago.

Together they launched “It’s Easier to Bury a Tradition than a Child,” a national campaign to keep children younger than 12 away from tractors.

“Now we’re appealing to others outside the network to help us spread the message to keep kids away from tractors,” Dr. Lee said.

The Childhood Agricultural Safety Network has a dedicated Web site (www.childagsafety.org) with free materials that include public service announcements by country singer-songwriter Michael Peterson. The site also offers posters, logos and other child safety materials.

Lisa Rhoades, administrator for the Oklahoma Child Death Review Board, said she’s seen too many unnecessary deaths among children in nearly 10 years on the job.

"I get irritated by the lack of common sense,” Rhoades told The Oklahoman. “Why would you put a child on the fender of a tractor?"

Of the estimated 100-plus farm-related deaths to children each year, most will die in incidents involving tractors and other machinery. In Wisconsin, about five children typically die each year in farm mishaps

The Oklahoma child's death occurred during National Agricultural Safety Awareness Week in March. For more information on the 2009 theme, “Keep Kids Away from Tractors," visit www.childagsafety.org.