Farm kids, farm life — and the simple steps that keep children safe this summer

Date published: 30 April 2026

By Bryan Monson, Deputy Chief Executive, HSENI

Growing up on a farm has taught me lessons that have stayed with me for life.

Like many children raised in farming families, I learned responsibility early. I learned the value of hard work, the rhythm of the seasons, and the pride that comes with being part of family farm life. Those are experiences I still treasure. 

But the most important lesson I learnt was that farms can be dangerous places. 

When I was a child helping on our family farm, keeping me safe was always the number one priority. 

At that age, I didn’t fully appreciate the risks around me, or appreciate the dangers posed by machinery, livestock, slurry tanks, or moving vehicles – 

What kept me safe was the constant supervisions of my grandparents. They always kept a close eye on me, knew where I was, what I was doing and who I was with.

And they didn’t hesitate to step in if I was straying from what I’d been told or didn’t realise my own limits. Looking back, I realise that their vigilance protected me from hazards I was too young to understand. 

That experience has shaped how I think about farm safety today. 

Farms are wonderful places for children to grow up and for many the farm is part playground, part classroom and part workplace. We pick up pride in what the family does and build skills that last a lifetime. 

But there are also hidden dangers that can have life‑changing consequences in seconds so that is why as summer approaches and children spend more time outdoors, I want to remind farming families of the importance of keeping children safe on farms.

The safest farms are not the ones where children are kept away from farming altogether — they’re the ones where risks are spotted early, boundaries are clear, and children are taught safely, step by step.

Simple steps make the biggest difference. 

A secure, designated safe play area, effective supervision and age‑appropriate education about hazards are essential. Done well, it allows children to learn about farming while also learning how to manage risk.

Good farm safety isn’t about frightening children — it’s about removing the highest risks, setting clear rules, and building safe habits. A short conversation at the start of the day about, where you can go, where you can’t and what to do if you’re unsure, can prevent a serious incident later on.

Think ahead to the busiest times — silage, slurry, lambing/calving, moving stock, deliveries, and contractors in the yard. If you know you won’t be able to supervise closely, plan for children to be safely occupied away from the working area.

Children under 13 should never drive or ride on tractors, quads, or other farm machinery. They should be kept well away from slurry stores and livestock pens. And if older children are helping with jobs, those tasks need to be suitable for their age, with hazards explained clearly and the right protective equipment provided. 

Small changes — gates shut, keys secured and clear rules — can make a big difference. They also help children build confidence on the farm in a way that’s safe and sustainable for the whole family.

Sadly, every year across our island, children are seriously injured in incidents on farms — and some tragically lose their lives. These incidents are devastating for families and farming communities, and in many cases they are preventable.

This summer, I would urge parents, grandparents, and carers to take a fresh look at the farm through a child’s eyes. Ask yourself where the dangers are, what safeguards are in place, and what changes could prevent an accident. 

Because sometimes the simplest actions — shutting a gate, securing a key, creating a safe play space, or stopping to supervise — can make all the difference. 

And when it comes to children’s safety on farms, those small actions matter more than anything. 

If you need more advice, please come and speak to us at Stand EK 89 in the Eikon Centre at this year’s Balmoral Show or visit the website Avoid harm on the farm - a children's guide | Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, controlling risk together