- The Victorian government will collaborate with Kidsafe Victoria
- During 2019-20, almost 400 Victorian children were hospitalised due to farm injuries
- Accidents involving vehicles, animals and water hazards are the most common
The Victorian Government has announced a collaboration with Kidsafe Victoria to deliver farm safety education to both early learning centres and primary schools across the state.
“Think Farm Safe, Be Farm Safe” is the second annual Kidsafe Victoria Farm Safety Creative Competition that encourages kids to think about solutions to farm safety issues. Winning entries will be included within a state-wide farm safety education campaign.
Children under the age of 15 are four times more likely to die in regional areas due to injury than those in major cities, according to the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit.
“Farms are unique environments which are often both a workplace and a home,” explains Mary-Anne Thomas, the Minister for Agriculture.
“The Farm Safety Creative Competition is encouraging future generations of Victorian farmers to take an active role in developing and promoting farm safety messages.”
Mary-Anne Thomas, Minister for Agriculture
Almost 400 Victorian children under the age of 15 were hospitalised following injuries on a farm in 2019-20. Common injury hazards for children include vehicles such as bikes, motorbikes and tractors, accidents involving animals, water hazards, machinery and poisons.
The program is funded by Smarter, Safer Farms a $20 million Victorian government program to improve safety outcomes for those living and visiting farms.
“Farms are a wonderful place for children to learn and grow up in – but they can also be very dangerous. This initiative gets kids and adults alike thinking about how to stay safe on farms in an interactive way,” said Ingrid Stitt, the Minister for Workplace Safety and Early Childhood.
“It’s important to remember that while farms can be wonderful places for children to visit and grow up, we all have a role to play in preventing serious injuries and deaths,” concluded Jason Chambers, Kidsafe Victoria General Manager.
